Page 1
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- SESSIONAL PAF
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Report of the Spe
Investigate the
Tree Tax Sys
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SEPTEMBE
A. PriYLited om the Orde
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Price: Rs. 2.20
 

கொழும்புத் தமிழ்ச் சங்ே
- - * 王
స్త్ర ביחידה
PER XVIII 1954
cial Committee to
Working of the
ܒܒ̈ܐ
tem in Jaffna
புெ தமிழ்ச்சந்தி
fலகம்
R, 1954
2's of Goleran tell.
'IENT PRESS, CEY LON
T PUBLICATIONS BUREAU, COLOMBO
Postage : 35 cents

Page 2
“Copy' received: Aut Proof sent : August 24
Proof returned : Septem
Published: September
-- N . I 43903-1200 (85)

7ust 5, 1954.
, 1954.
ber 6, 1954.
11, 1954,

Page 3
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL C THE WORKING OF THE TR
... INTRO)
THE Special Committee was appoint Home Affairs on February 21, 1954.
The terms of reference were that t
(i) Inquire into and report on th the Revenue District of J: (ii) Recommend whether the Tre
not; (iii) If the Tree Tax System is should be reintroduced in (iv) If the continuance of the
whether any amendment administrative) are necess the Tree Tax System, and
The Committee was enjoined to co possible. This was done. Intimation o March 23, 1954. Press notices advertis its terms of reference, and invitation handed in for publication on the sa: questionnaire, on release of the pres were also posted on March 24, 1954, to opinion in the District and those pr professions and in social and religio trade unions, &c. Time was given til to the questionnaire and the commit April 23, 1954, after due notice to the
116 replies, and applications to app tually received and all were invited at the public sittings held in the Jaff 2, 1954. 74 such individuals or group the special committee at its public s one such sitting was held in each co cross-section of public opinion exam
I. PRI
THE agitation for a tree tax system 1926 to 1930 when total prohibition In 1931 and 1932, twenty-one (21) ta but this did not abate the agitation urged were first, that toddy is a food drawn, and not in stale condition or was sold at the taverns, and secondly, was a source of disorder. In 1935 the tree tax system in Walikamam North kesanturai and the experiment was to the extension of the system over effect from January 1, 1937. In introc Jayatileka said that the extension w a universal demand from Jaffna ', people of Jaffna are convinced that t have, in a way, exercised the right to them, and in response to their re. this system'. The fact however rel introduced by administrative action,
92, O

OMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE EE TAX SYSTEM IN JAFFNA
DUCTION ed by the Honourable the Minister of
he committee should
e working of the Tree Tax System in affna ; e Tax System should be abolished or
abolished whether the tavern system safna ;
Tree Tax System is recommended s to the existing scheme (legal or ary for the more efficient working of what these amendments are.
mmence its investigations as early as f the release of funds was received on ing the appointment of the committee, s to apply for the questionnaire were me day. Pending applications for the is notices, copies of the questionnaire 177 persons, who are leaders of public ominent in agriculture, industry, the us circles, as well as to local bodies, 1 April 10, 1954, for receipt of replies Etee commenced its public sittings on
witnesses.
bear before the committee were evento give evidence before the committee na District from April 23, 1954, to May seventually did give evidence before ittings in the Jaffna District. At least Instituency, and a very representative ined.
EAMBLE
for Jaffna commenced in the years was in force in the Jaffna Peninsula. verns were re-opened by local option, for tree tax. The two main arguments and should be consumed when freshly in very highly fermented state, as it that "gregarious' drinking in taverns State Council experimented with the , a thickly populated area round Kanvoted a considerable success. This led the whole of the Jaffna District, with lucing this bill the late Sir Don Baron as in response to "what is practically he added “there is no doubt that the his tree tax system is beneficial. They of local option that had been granted quest we are now prepared to extend mained that the tree tax system was and the 21 taverns re-opened by local
.ܟ

Page 4
4. CEYLON SESSION
option after prohibition were closed duction of the tree tax system the regard to toddy. When the tree tax District was mainly rural. Towns, wi Small. In such an area it was believed of sales by small holders at the foot ( were still subservient and still did fe a murmur. As time went on and the quently began to make more money the loop holes (which are legion) i economic independance, came World towns into large ones and increase consequent change in living conditio)
II. R.
THE first charge levelled against the serious crime. But that is shown to be from the Police
Serious
Yedir
1935 . . 1,265 936 . . 1,211 1937. 1,195 1938 . . 1,40
That is to say, in spite of a growth down by over 10 per cent. if we comp to 1938. When the critics discovered explained that by serious crime they which does not reach the court. We being drunk and disorderly rose fron 1952 and 387 in 1953. But that rise ma the number of Police stations in Ja and population has also risen. Neith persons so prosecuted had drunk todd
2. The rest of their indictment of substantially true. In 1953, 12,114 tap They sell in 500 booths along the roac tap and at any hour which suits them is 80 per cent. more than in 1925 or 1! The booths where the toddy is sold art The vessels are often left uncovere insects to infect them. The drinking v. are not washed after each drink is were given quite a few instance of sc influence of toddy. We appreciate the small quantities to growing childre. after certain illnesses. If the childr parental control there might be no ha of boys in the adolescent stage going taverns where they are not likely to and freely indulging themselves. Th system. All this was never contem Government expected sales to take p sales of fresh toddy; but buyers are the day when each tapper brings do He therefore collects his total yielc tavern where most of the supply is sol between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and aga

AL PAPERS, 1954
without a poll, and since the introight of local option was removed in was introduced in 1937 the Jaffna th the exception of Jaffna, were very that there was a chance for a system of the tree to thrive. Further, tappers udal service for the Vellallas without drink habit grew, and tappers conse, and also came to know and exploit n the regulations and show signs of
War II and a rapid growth of small d sophistication all round, and the
S.
EPORT
Cree tax system is that it has increased unfounded by the following statistics
Crime
Year
1943 . . . 2,124 1950 . . as 1,406 95 . . 1,207 1952 . . 1,132 953 . . 1,121
in population serious crime has gone are the years 1952 and 1953 with 1935 this misdescription of the facts, they meant petty crime, much or most of
cannot verify that. Prosecutions for n 85 in 1935 and 130 in 1936 to 247 in ly well have been due to the fact that ffna has risen by over 200 per cent. er can it be ascertained whether the y or some other more potent beverage.
this tree tax system we find to be pers received licences to tap and sell. iside, and in every garden where they . The number of trees licensed in 1953 926. They sell to children and women. e generally not in a sanitary condition. d for flies and other germ carrying essels made of palmyrah leaves (plas)
served. With regard to children we hool boys attending schools under the belief that fresh toddy is beneficial in n, particularly to those convalescing en are given the toddy under strict irm, but we have been given instances E out on their own to these miniature be seen by the elders of the family is is one of the evils of the tree tax plated at the start of the scheme. lace at the foot of each tree and to be rarely available at the early hours of wn the yield of the trees first tapped. at one centre and that becomes a d in an advanced state of fermentation in between 5 and 9 p.m. Since drink

Page 5
TREE TAX SY
is available in close proximity to so I rising fast. Some say that 75 per cer on drink while their families starve The average consumption per head C high, and the number of improvide than 20 per cent. of the people. But spread, and we find room for seriou, are taking that road. It is high time With that view most of the populatic
From this conclusion we would e Excise control is hardly practicable. and the water is mostly brakish Delft there is little food except fish seasons. In view of these conditions a of the Island, tree tax may continue
3. We have considered 3 possible total prohibition. But this method has like Norway, Sweden, Russia and the where. It has been tried in Jaffna and Jaffna, whom we have questioned, b but recognize that the approach has prohibition.
4. We received a novel suggestior on, but administration of it should be ties and handed over along with its ri Town Councils. But it seems to us hands full and transfer to them wou tax system. It is desirable, so far as politics apart.
5. We have given much time to el tax system on the following lines
(a) Make it subject to local opt
(b) Impose on all sellers rules hours, sales to women and
(c) Reduce the number of trees 5 per cent. more each succ
But that would leave unaltered til their power to start people drinking there were greater distances betwee Moreover, the places of sales are so nu impossible. So, we recommend abolit
6. A third solution is to replace the recommend. We considered with care and organization of such taverns to preserve order and promote temper charity or to the Government, but v will be available or have the requ requisite understanding of the tapp co-operative unions of tappers, if suc take supply and to deposit 1/5 of th by the Excise Commissioner, plus a duct. This latter sum to be forfeital Co-operative Department will encou may be that no such tappers' unions of supply: in that event, each taver. On the same terms on which tavern with two special provisions intended

STEM IN JAFFNA 5
many homes, the number of drinkers is it. labourers spend half their earnings . That is, we think, an exaggeration. f the population is relatively far from it drunkards is not likely to be more we agree that the habit of drink has s disquiet in the fact that school boys to end or amend the tree tax system. bn of Jaffna are in close agreement.
xempt Delft. Delft is so remote that There, toddy is one of the chief foods and scarce. We are assured that in and that fish is hard to catch at some nd the comparatively isolated position
in Delft.
solutions of the problem. The first is been tried in many Western Countries 2 U. S. A., and proved a failure everyit has failed. Most of the gentlemen of elieve in prohibition as a far off ideal, to be gradual. We do not recommend
that the tree tax system should go taken away from the present authorievenues to the Municipality and to the that these bodies already have their ld effect no improvement in the tree possible, to keep toddy taverns and
laboration of a plan to mend the tree
ion in each area. of cleanliness and aganist sales after children, adulteration, and credit sales. tapped by 5 per cent. in 1955, and by eeding year for 4 years.
he multiplicity of places of sales and who might never take the first step if in their homes and the toddy booths, lmerous as to make supervision almost ion of the tree tax system.
tree tax system by taverns which we a suggestion to hand over the control a philanthropic association pledged to ance and to hand over the profits to we doubt whether such an association isite knowledge of the trade or the )ers. It seems better to entrust it to h are forthcoming and agree to undere upset price of each tavern, as fixed further 1/5 as guarantee of good conble for misconduct. We hope that the rage the formation of such unions. It ; will agree to undertake organization n licence should be put up to auction, licences are sold in other provinces, to protect tappers set out later in this

Page 6
6 CEYLON SESSION
report. The location of these taverns s Agent in consultation with his Adviso ment and the Temperance Associatior tentatively suggest, be at least 8 in Ja division outside. It may appear at firs in the establishment of a large numb whom we questioned themselves sug would only be a fraction of the nu) suggest that Government should ap unofficial members to make surprise
at taverns
Member No. 1. An officer of the H 2. A representative of by the Govern 3. A third member
public.
7. The tapping communities have taverns and they ask that the tree following grounds
(a) The suggestion to end the taverns is inspired by jealousies owners to get cheap labour. As i a day as tappers, but as cultivatol they earn Rs. 3 a day. The vella all the taverns and force the tapp
(b) Tappers are mostly simple a co-operative producer union an by any managers whom they m managers, they fear, will in most
8. We doubt whether there is muc may refrain from accepting tavern l. to renters. We agree that the tappe against the renters, but we expect conditions to be included in the licenc
9. But in (a) there is substance. M agitation against the tree tax syster of it is caste feeling and some of it is areas where it may be possible and to get successful polls held and clos compelling the tappers to become c owners. The tappers may then be a daily earnings may be reduced from i
10. We believe that the members o Ceylon as retainers or slaves of the la dants, or something deeper than depe in 17 years ago. They were freed fror system, and have become prosperous independant business men, and have precious uplift, not only in money tragedy if they are again thrust do ladder. But they will surely suffer t is idle to say that they can find emplo industry their earnings would be Rs. way to safeguard them against such a of the Local Option Law to Jaffna for be done, that the tavern system be t

AL PAPERS, 1954
hould be decided by the Government ry Committee and the Excise DepartLs. The number of taverns should, we fna Town and one in each headman's , sight that our proposal would result r of taverns, but many of the people gested this number and this number mber of existing places of sale. We point an Advisory Board of three inspections and ensure good conduct
ealth Department.
the Temperance Association selected ment Agent. as representative of the consuming
entered a vigorous protest against tax system should continue on the
tree tax system and replace it by of caste and a desire among landt is, they earn Rs. 12 to Rs. 20 each is under the landowning vellala caste as will next arrange polls and close bers back into servitude.
folk, unfit to organize themselves as d likely to be cheated right and left ay appoint to control taverns. Such
cases be of the vellala caste.
h substance in (b). If there is, they icences, and the tavern may be sold rs would need economic protection they will find it in the 2 special e. uch of the motive behind the present n is genuine temperance, but some a search for cheap labour. There are profitable for the landowning classes :e toddy taverns for the purpose of ultivators on the fields of the landt the mercy of the latter, i.e., their ts present level of Rs. 12 to Rs. 3.
f the tapping communities came into indowners and remained their depenndants, till the tree tax system came n this semi-servitude by the tree tax : 60 or 70 per cent. of them are now
ceased to be hirelings. All this is a put in personal values. It will be a wn to the lower rungs of the social hat fate, if the taverns are closed. It yment making jaggery, since in that
4 instead of Rs. 12 a day. The only downfall is to suspend the application 3 to 5 years. We recommend that this ried out for that period and revised

Page 7
TREE TAX SYS
at its close. The trade should unders and a warning. Either they conduc to be liquidated.
11. It may be objected that this objection ignores the lesson of events by reason of three stout obstacles, w of Jaffna Peninsula and almost uniq presence there of probably 100,000 pe skill and occupation has been for second is the existence, in the close elsewhere, of hundreds and thousan which they can draw toddy at little is the deep-seated, ancient demand take it as medicine for malaria, ar lunch of it.
In these circumstances, it is cer employed will organize a flood of effects expected from closing taverns
12. We suggest 2 new conditions in
(a) The tappers co-operative licence (or the renter if no suc Assistant Commissioner of Excis it wishes to have licensed. The A ordinarily grant licences for tho such to any convict or illicit de of One tapper, and should not lic
(b) The tappers co-operative to buy, at a price not less than : or 30 cents per bottle of coconut tapper so licensed, and each tap yield to that tavern. Breach of and each renter liable to forfeitl
(c) To meet the needs of the S. permits to a bona fide applicant,
13. To protect the District against i offence to tap for sweet toddy from such licences be issued free, but licer of restrictions on the tapping of pa free tapping of palmyrahs for allege jowl with the tapping of palmyrah toddy. From the evidence before us tapping for sweet toddy takes place, experience of the officers of the Excise empowered under section 36A of t spadices of trees both coconut and tapped for fermented toddy in the action taken by the Excise Departme spadices of 12,573 trees were cut of in 1952 the spadices of 11,354 trees we spathes. The dearth of illicit tapping is required to tap a coconut tree even a licence is required for tapping Sw owner of such a tree to see that his (whether sweet or fermented) unde he becomes liable under the Excise without such a licence. It is obvious take pains to prevent illicit tapping O

STEMI IIN JAFFNA 7
tand this to be a probationary period t sales better or they become liable
will defeat temperance work. This under prohibition in Jaffna. It failed hich are fundamental facts in the life le in Ceylon. The first of these is the ople of the tapper castes, whose chief generations centred in tapping. The
neighbourhood of these tappers and ds of groves of palmyrah trees, from cost and with little labour. The third of the Jaffna public for toddy. Some aemia, &c., others make their daily
tain that tappers on becoming disillicit supply, which can nullify the
tavern licences in Jaffna District
society, when it is granted a tavern h society gets it), will submit to the e a list of the persons and trees whom Assistant Commissioner of Excise will ise persons and trees but may refuse aler. Each licence will be in favour :ense more than 20 trees. society or the renter will undertake 20 cents per bottle of palmyrah toddy toddy, all the supply brought by each per will undertake to deliver all his this contract will make each tapper ure of his licence. ick, the Government Agent may grant to buy 2 bottles per day.
illicit tapping, it is vital to make it an palmyrah trees without a licence. Let nces there must be. Since the removal almyrah trees for sweet toddy, such 2d sweet toddy has existed cheek by trees under a licence for fermented , it is clear that very little genuine . This is more clearly proved by the : Department, who have been specially he Excise Ordinance, to cut off the
palmyrah which are found illicitly tree tax area. The statistics of such 2nt speak for themselves. In 1951, the these only 23 were of coconut trees, are cut of which only 12 were coconut
of coconut trees is because a licence h for sweet toddy. The mere fact that eet toddy makes it incumbent on the tree is tapped for any kind of toddy r a licence, according to the law, and Ordinance if his tree is found tapped s therefore that the owner will then In his land.

Page 8
8 CEYLON SESSION
! 14. We anticipate that under thi profits will swell costs and selling
reduction in the number of places We believe that Government cannot
may do more by propaganda and te to temperance is persuasion.
K. R. L. DE SILVA,
Secretary. May 24, 1954.
R
IT has been stated in the report tha favour of the tree tax system, when toddy is a food and should be consul a stale condition or in a very highl the taverns, and secondly, that “gr source of disorder. These two argum when originally urged.
With regard to the second argument of the tavern system it is hoped to red a much larger number of taverns th the recommendation is made that th two wards of the Jaffna Municipalit Division. When the number of tave who congregate at a tavern would be
With regard to the first argument introducing the tavern system provis that is a considerable number, who d attained a state of full fermentation those who would like to have their t it an injustice to deprive persons w and immediately after it is drawn w the time a tavern is open in the morn wish to have their toddy afer full fer when toddy reaches the tavern whet evening draught it would already ha ation. A tapper who taps about 20 t going for the purpose of tapping frc covering a distance of about half a m the toddy tapped has to wait for a lo collected cannot possibly deliver the after he had commenced tapping. S at a tavern soon after it is opened evening draught arrives one canno advanced state of fermentation. Tho keeper to destroy whatever was left not to mix it up with the morning dira Officer to be present at every taver φο ensure that there is no mixing. '
. . Subject

TAL PAPERS, 1954
system here proposed the renter's prices and reduce consumption. The of sale will also reduce consumption. wisely do more by statute. We hope it aching about hygiene. The true road
T. W. ROBERTS, (Chairman).
*R. R. SELVADURAI. RAJA HEWAVITARANE.
DER
at the two main arguments urged in it was first introduced, are first, that med when freshly drawn, and not in y fermented state, as it was sold in agarious' drinking in taverns was a ents are still as sound as they were
t in recommending the re-introduction
luce "gregarious' drinking by having
an in the past. It is with that object
here should be one tavern for every
y and a tavern for each Headman's
rns is larger the number of persons
Smaller.
however it will be seen that in reion is made for all those persons, and esire to have their toddy after it has but no provision has been made for oddy when freshly drawn. I consider ho desire to have their toddy fresh hile giving full liberty to drink from ing till it closes at night to those who mentation. It cannot be doubted that her it be the morning draught or the ve reached a fair degree of fermentrees climbing each tree in turn and m one garden to another sometimes tile and who after collecting together irry or van to transport the toddy so toddy at the tavern till some hours o that even if one purchases toddy
in the morning and soon after the t obtain toddy which is not in an ugh the rules may require a tavern from the previous day's supply and ught it is impracticable for an Excise when the morning draught arrives Chere is no rule requiring a tavern

Page 9
TREE TAX SY
keeper to destroy any balance left o he receives the evening draught fo enforced. So that in the result todd of the hour will be fully fermented those who introduced the tree tax desirable but just and reasonable th cater to that class of persons who and immediately after it is drawn. W to the human system I would invite a ratnam Cooke, M.D. M.R.C.S., retired He states as follows :-". . . . I for women as well as men. Alcohol i to patients. It depends on the dosag the prevailing tree tax system) is v two a day the most. This applies b Toddy contains a lot of Vitamin B 1.
Toddy is good for growing chi as soon as it comes from the tree. H for children . . . .''. On further . palmyrah and coconut toddy is nutr Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin E. memorandum submitted by Rev. Fa :of St. Patrick's College, Jaffna, a gre states " . . . . Stale toddy not c alcohol than fresh toddy, but also hence must be considered deleteriol within about two hours of extractio. exceed 1 or 13 per cent. and there palatable, nutritious and has a stimu is of course better. It is non-alcoho nutritious. According to a report issue fresh toddy contains nearly 5 per c form of sugar, about the same amol valuable sugar, beside yeast and Vita
My recommendation is that the G grant annual permits to persons of g( on applying for same and paying a . palmyrah or two coconut trees at a own consumption and that of his fami restriction against transporting from with regard to tapping for sweet todc owner and the tapper is that the tree drawn one day while the tapper app day in lieu of wages. This method of For the tapper may tap for 5 or 6 tr draught from the trees on the day o since the quantity would be too mu tempted to sell the excess toddy. A tapper will not be allowed to take a garden where he taps. He will therefo
The average yield for a female p. quantity than a male palmyrah tree a a day. This quantity should be suffic case of coconut tree the average yiel are issued for more than one palmy trees there may be the temptation t that no permit be issued to a tree ov tap any of his trees for supply to a t

STEM IN JAFFNA 9
ver from the morning draught before r the good reason that it cannot be y purchased at a tavern irrespective toddy and that fact was realised by ystem. I consider that it is not only at some provision should be made to would like to have their toddy fresh ith regard to the value of such toddy Ittention to the evidence of Dr. Gunaphysician, General Hospital, Colombo. may add that toddy is a good thing s not poison. We doctors give alcohol 2. Toddy as ordinarily drunk (under ary good for the system-a bottle or oth to women and men 8 a. a which we prescribe for diabetes ldren also in proper quantities and ighly fermented toddy would be bad inquiry Dr. Cooke informs that both itious to the body and both contain I would also invite attention to the ther B. A. John, O.M.I., Vice Rector at research scholar in Chemistry. He inly contains a greater percentage of . has a certain amount of acetic acid is . . . . Fresh toddy consumed n is beneficial. The alcohol does not is hardly any acid; the beverage is lating effect. Toddy absolutely fresh lic, delicious to the taste and very 2d by the Haffkine Institute, Bombay, 2nt. levulose which is very valuable int of invertase which is an equally min C . '.
'overnment Agent be empowered to pod character who are house-holders, fee of Rs. 5 per tree to tap a single time in his residental garden for his ly but not for sale. There should be a One garden to another. At present ly the arrangement between the tree owner should be supplied the toddy ropriates the toddy drawn the next remuneration would lead to abuses. ee-owners and take to his house the in which he becomes entitled to and Lch for his consumption he may be cording to my recommendation the ny portion of the toddy outside the re have to be remunerated in cash.
almyrah tree, which yields a larger hd for a longer period is 3 to 4 bottles ient for a normal household. In the i is 1 to 13 bottles a day. If permits rah tree or more than two coconut sell the surplus. I also recommend Viner who has allowed permission to avern. For if a permit be issued to a

Page 10
10 CEYLON SESSION
tree owner who has allowed some O all the toddy tapped for that purpos but a part may be disposed of by sal
Several objections are raised by r eye to eye with me in regard to this r be tantamount to a continuation of t. Under the tree tax system there are s has become a miniature tavern. The sale and the quantity tapped in any a permit holder to sell. Another obje lose custom. A tavern keeper when tavern would know approximately : permit holders will not patronise hi; portionate sum as purchase price. He is on the assumption that every per would become a customer of the 1 altogether warrantable. Another ser culty of supervision. It is argued th permit holders and so supervision wo the number of permit holders will n. have to remunerate the tapper in Rs. 15 or Rs. 30 per mensem at the permits is not likely to be large. A labourer is given a coconut for even price of a coconut is about 20 or 25 c labourer and who has to climb twice paid a minimum of 50 cents a day fo the figure of Rs. 15 for tapping a palr coconut trees. The number of permit should be able to supervise. Assumir that the number is large, say about 1 revenue collected will be about Rs. allowances, pension provisions, &c., O. service to be about Rs. 400 per mense per mensem—about 9 or 10 Inspecto burden on the revenue. But I think be able to do all the supervision neces holders there will be a number wh permit. I do not however think that tion of the community of the liberty a drink so full of medical properties hibiting a community from enjoying because a few commit offences.
I regret I cannot join Mr. Selvadu his rider.
It will be invidious for the Governi to A and refuse it to B. The number tend to grow ad infinitum. Some of illicit sale and will find it easy to aug each to get a permit for one tree. T plication of places of sale, similar to in the Tree Tax System.
I agree.
RAJA HEWAVITARANE.

AL PAPERS, 1954
f his trees to be tapped for a tavern e may not find its way to the tavern 2 at the owner's house.
ny colleagues who are unable to see natter. One is that my proposal would he tree tax system. I submit it is not. ales in every garden and every garden permit system I recommend prohibits garden would be too small to tempt ction is that the tavern keeper would
he purchases the right to sell at a after a year or two as to how many stavern, and therefore tender a prowould therefore not be a loser. This mit holder, if not granted a permit, avern keeper which I think is not ious objection raised is that of diffihat there will be a large number of ould require a large staff. In my view ot be large. Since the tree owner will cash and this will amount to about least, the number of applicants for coconut climber who is an unskilled y tree he climbs to pluck nuts. The 'ents. A toddy tapper who is a skilled a day is not likely to tap unless he is r a tree. It is on this basis I arrive at myrah tree and Rs. 30 for tapping two holders being small the existing staff ng however for the sake of argument 0,000, at the rate of Rs. 5 per tree the 50,000 per annum. Taking the salary, f an Excise Inspector of about 5 years m-their basic salary is about Rs. 150 rs can be employed without being a a much smaller flying squad should sary. I concede that among the permit o may violate the conditions of the is any more reason to deprive a secto partake of a food so nutritious and s than to clamp down a curfew profresh air at Galle Face after sunset
R. R. SELVADURAI. rai in his recommendation set out-in
ment Agent to grant a tapping permit of persons holding such permits will these permit holders will resort to gment their supply by sending agents he final result may well be a multiwhat we have found and condemned
T. W. ROBERTS,
Chairman.

Page 11
TREE TAX SYS
APPEN
Minutes of
MINUTES of the 1st Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Office, Colombo, on Saturday, March
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Chail
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Special Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant to
2. A letter from Mr. Rajah Hewav of the Special Committee intimating was tabled.
3. The questionnaire to be issued w The Secretally was instructed to have and to forward copies to the members
4. It was decided to hold sittings a are received. The sittings are to be he These, with places of meeting, are as
Name of Constituency
Jaffna
Vaddukoddai
Kayts
Kankesanturai Point Pedro
Kopay e Chavakachcheri
The Secretary will arrange meetin with the Government Agent, Northe missioner of Excise, Jaffna. It was need for evidence in camera.
5. The list of persons to whom th was approved. Viz., the list of person Sioner of Excise, Jaffna, in consul Northern Province, in addition to all in the Jaffna District, the Mayor a Council, alil Chairmen of Urban az Agent, Northern Province, the Me views and those of the doctors in Movements, the Assistant Commiss tendents of Excise, the Superintend Registrar of Lands and all Divisiona
6. It was proposed that ten da questionnaire and that the Commi April 23, 1954.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 19.3.54.

TEM IN JAFFNA 1.
DX
Meetings
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna, held at the Home Ministry 3, 1954, at 1.30 p.m.
man), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai. 7a, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
(notice.
tarane, C.B.E., J.P., the 3rd Member his inability to attend the meeting
as discussed and its terms agreed to. : the questionnaire typed accordingly
of the Special Committee.
|fter the replies to the questionnaire d in Jaffna in all the 7 constituencies. follows :-
Place of Sitting
Jaffna. Chankamai. Kayts. Kankesanturai. Point Pedro. Atchuvelly. Chavakachcheri.
g rooms at each place in consultation rn Province, and the Assistant Comalso decided that there would be no
e questionnaire should be forwarded s suggested by the Assistant Commistation with the Government Agent, Senators and Members of Parliament nd members of the Jaffna Municipal nd Town Councils, the Government dical Superintendent, Jaffna, for his he District, all leading Co-operative ioner of Excise, Jaffna, the Superin2nt of Police, Northern Province, the
Revenue Officers.
lys be allowed for replies to the ttee sit in Jaffna for 10 days from

Page 12
12 CEYLON SESSION
Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Commissioner, Colombo, on Friday,
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Chai Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Special Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant to
2. The minutes of the last meeti confirmed.
3. The Committee agreed to publi English papers and twice only in the 4. The draft press notice was final
5. A further question, calling for c effects in the Tree Tax System was questionnaire, and finally approved.
6. It was decided to print 300 copie and Tamil.
7. In arranging the circuit program instructed to notify the witnesses eac the time specified for the preceding that about half an hour of time be a association.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Charman. 2.4.54.
Minutes of the 3rd Meeting of the working of the Tree TaK System in J Commissioner, Colombo, on Friday, A
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Chair Hewavitarane.
In Attendance: Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Special Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant tc
2. The minutes of the last meeti confirmed.
3. Details of the Circuit in Jaffna c 1954, were arranged. Mr. Raja Hewavi on the morning of April 24, 1954, owi other members of the Committee an Fort on the night mail train to Jaffna train by the night mail train from J was decided to take two cars to J Colombo to Jaffna and back. It was Selvadurai and the Secretary.
4. The replies (six in number) re were discussed. It was decided to il before the Special Committee if the invite those who have replied from C later in Colombo after the Special Jaffna tour. The date or dates for th

IAL PAPERS, 1954
Special Committee to investigate the affna, held at the Office of the Excise March 19, 1954, at 12 noon.
man), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, Mr. Raja
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
notice. ng which had been circulated were
sh the Press Notice once only in the
Tamil papers. y approved.
oncrete examples of useful or harmful added to question number one of the
s each of the questionnaire in English
me, in due course, the Secretary was h for a specified hour 10 minutes after witness in the case of individuals but lotted to representations of any solid
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Office of the Excise April 2, 1954, at 12 noon.
'man), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, Mr. Raja
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
notice. ng which had been circulated were
listrict from April 23, 1954, to May 2, tarane will fly to Jaffna from Colombo ing to unavoidable circumstances, the d Secretary will entrain at Colombo on April 22, 1954. All will return by affna to Colombo on May 2, 1954. It affna, the cars being trucked from decided to take the cars of Mr. R. R.
2ceived to date to the questionnaire nvite all those who reply to appear y wish to do so. It was decided to 'olombo addresses to do so some time Committee has returned from the is purpose will be fixed later.

Page 13
TREE TAX SYS
5. The Secretary was requested to f
(a) Figures of serious crime
(i) in Ceylon (ii) in the Jaffna district in the following years: 192
and 1952. (b) Statistics of the importation
(i) into Ceylon (ii) into the Jaffna district. in the following years: 1935,
(c) Statistics of arrack and forei unlawful tapping detected
1927, 1928, 1935, 1936, 1937,
(d) Particulars of the number o. option in the Jaffna district arrack taverns in the distric Jafna.
Confirmed,
T. W. RoBERTS,
Chairman. 7.5.54。
Minutes of the 4th Meeting of the S working of the Tree Tax System in of the Municipal Council, Jaffna, on F
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Chair.
1. The Committee met pursuant to
2. In public sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to cont ing day.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54。
Minutes of the 5th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in of the Municipal Council, Jaffna, on S
Presert: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch. Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
1. The Committee met pursuant to 2. In public sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to following day.

EM IN JAFFINA 13
urnish the following information :-
7, 1928, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1951
of Jaggery
1936, 1937, 1938, 1951 and 1952. gn liquor consumption and cases of
during- - 1951 and 1952.
f arrack taverns re-opened by local after prohibition and the number of it before the period of prohibition in
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Committee Room. riday, April 23, 1954, at 10 a.m.
man) and Mr. R. R. Selvadurai.
notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. .inue hearing evidence on the follow
'a, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Committee Room aturday, April 24, 1954, at 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses.
continue hearing evidence on the

Page 14
i4 CEYLON SESSION
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
‘Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. *7.5.54。
Minutes of the 6th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in . Chankanai on Sunday, April 25, 1954
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch. Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant to 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to cor ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. Ro8ERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54。
Minutes of the 7th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in
Kayts, on Monday, April 26, 1954, at
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch. Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant tc 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to con ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54.
Minutes of the 8th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in santurai, on Tuesday, April 27, 1954,
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant tc

AL PAPERS, 1954
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
Special Committee to investigate the saffna held at the Rural Court House, , at 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
notice. heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Community Centre, 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
) notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Resthouse, Kankeat 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
) notice.

Page 15
"TREE TAX SYS
2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to con ing day. V
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54.
Minutes of the 9th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Pedro on Wednesday, April 28, 1954,
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch. Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant to 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to con ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54。
Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Pedro, on Thursday, April 29, 1954, a
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch.
Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr K. R. L. de Sil
Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant t 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to con ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54.
Minutes of the 11th Meeting of t the working of the Tree Tax Systen operative Sales Society Building, Ne
9.30 a.m.
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.

TEM IN JAFFNA 15
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna, held at the Resthouse, Point at 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
notice. heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Resthouse, Point t 9.30 a.m.
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
o notice. heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
he Special Committee to investigate n in Jaffna held at the Plantain Coervelly, on Friday, April 30, 1954, at
airman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,

Page 16
16 CEYLON, SESSION
1. The Committee met pursuant to 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3 The Committee adjourned to cor ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. T.5.54。
Minutes of the 12th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in J School for Girls, Chavakachcheri, on
Present: Mr. T W. Roberts (C Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant t 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. The Committee adjourned to cor ing day.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 7.5.54.
Minutes of the 13th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in of the Municipal Council, Jaffna, on
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant tc 2. In Public Sitting the Committee
3. It was agreed that the Committ May 7, 1954.
Confirmed.
T. W. ROBERTs,
Chairman. 7554
Minutes of the 14th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Commissioner, Colombo, on Friday,
Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Ch Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance : Mr. K. R. L. de Sil Secretary to the Committee.

AL PAPERS, 1954
notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. tinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the saffna, held at the Government Junior
Saturday, May 1, 1954, at 9.45 a.m.
hairman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
o notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. ntinue hearing evidence on the follow
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna, held at the Committee Room Sunday, May 2, 1954, at 10 a.m.
hairman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai, and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,
) notice.
heard the oral evidence of witnesses. ee meet again in Colombo on Friday,
Special Committee to investigate the Jaffna held at the Office of the Excise May 7, 1954, at 2.15 p.m.
hairman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
va, Assistant Commissioner of Excise,

Page 17
TREE TAX SYST
1. The Committee met pursuant to
2. The Minutes of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th Meetings, which had been ci
3. The Report of the Special Commit decided to meet again on May 13, 1954
Confirmed.
T. W. RobERTs,
Chairman. 13.5.54.
Minutes of the 15th Meeting of the working of the Tree Tax System in Ji Commissioner, Colombo, on Thursday Present: Mr. T. W. Roberts (Cha Mr. Raja Hewavitarane.
In Attendance: Mr. K. R. L. de Silv Secretary to the Committee.
1. The Committee met pursuant to : 2. The Minutes of the 14th Meeting 3. The Report of the Special Comn Secretary instructed to forward the members before transmission to the Home Affairs, for publication, subject by Mr. Selvadurai.
Confirmed.
T. W. RoBERTs,
Chairman. 13.5.54.
APPENI Notes of 23.4.54-AT
Mr. C. P. Wambeek, Superintend The All Ceylon Gandhiya Seva S Mr. A. Murugesoe, Assistant Con Mr. R. Thiagarajah, Nayanmarka Mr. J. S. Nicholas, Chundikuli. Mr. P. Thambirajah, Jaffna. Mr. M. Kumarasvamypillai, Jaffr Mr. A. Sinniah, Kaithady. Mr. E. P. Rasiah, Wannarponnai. 10. The Saiva Paripalana Sabhai, Ja 11. Mr. S. F. X. Annasami pillai, Corc 12. Mr. S. Paranivarasingham, Jaffna
24.4.54-AT 13. The St. John de Britto Fisheries 14. The Northern Division Co-operat 15. Mr. S. R. Kanaganayagam, Senat 16. Mr. C. Muthutamby, Anaipanthy 17. The North Ceylon Tappers' Unio 18. Mr. A. Perumynar, Divisional Re 19. The North Ceylon Prohibition Le
25.454-AT Cl
20. Mr. V. Veerasingham, M. P., Vad 21. Mr. S. Saravanamuthu, Pandater

EM IN JAFFINA 17
notice.
6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th rculated were confirmed. tee was discussed and the Committee
to discuss the report further.
Special Committee to investigate the ffna held at the Office of the Excise
May 13, 1954, at 2 p.m.
irman), Mr. R. R. Selvadurai and
a, Assistant Commissioner of Excise
notice.
g were confirmed.
hittee was finally approved and the typed report for signature of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of to rider of dissent, to be submitted
DX II Evidence
JAFFNA ent of Police, Jaffna. angam.
hmissioner of Excise, Jaffna. ddu.
fina. Iner, Jaffma.
JAFFNA
Union, Passaiyur. ive Federation. D.
(l. venue Officer, Jaffna. ague, Jaffna.
HANKANNAI ducoddai.
*appս.

Page 18
31.
33. 34.
36.
37. 38. 39. 40.
42. 43. 44.
64. 65.
CEYLON SESSIONA
. Mr. K. Subramannium, V. C., Cha ... Mr. S. Kadirigamarthamby, T. C., . Mr. S. Karthigesu, Secretary, Co. ... Mr. S. Waithilingam, Tholpuram.
... Mr. A. Sinnadurai, Secretary, C
plirann.
. Mr. S. Navaratnam, Manipay.
... Mr. W. Sethukavalar, Secretary, N ... Mr. M. Nadesu, President, Valika ... Mr. S. R. Jecob, for the Secretar,
Society. Mr. A. Murugesoe, Assistant
(recalled).
26.4.54-AT The Manditivu Allaipiddy Palmy
... Mr. S. Sivagnanam, Divisional Re
Mr. George Mannelpillai, Kayts. The Palmyrah Products Society,
. The Prohibition League, Welanai.
Mr. K. Rajalingam, Welanai.
27.4.54—AT KAN Mr. T. Manicavasagar, Tellippulla Mr. P. M. John, M.M.C., Jaffna. Mr. A. Eliyathamby, Punnalaikac Mr. A.P. Thambiah, President N.
. Dr. G. Cooke.
Mr. C. Arulampalam, Kokkuvil. Mr. M. Swaminathan, Kopay. Mr. N. Sivagnanasunderam, Divi
North.
28.4.54 AT PO
. Mr. R. Sithamparapillai, Divisiona . Mr. V. Arunasalam, Point Pedro. . Mr. A. G. Rajasooriar, Pallai. . Mr. M. Sivapragasam, Proctor, S. . Mr. C. Manickavasagar, Secretary . Mr. T. Nallathamby, Thondaiman . Mr. R. Kanagasabapathy, Puloly . Mr. V. K. Chinniah, Karaveddy V ... Mr. K. Olaganathan, Thunnalai.
29.4.54 AT PC
. Mr. T. Ramalingam, M.P., Point ) . The Kovilkadavai R. D. Society. ... Mr. S. Kandavanam, Karaveddy . The Jaffna Association of Gampol . The Alvai South Toddy Tappers'
30.454-AT N
... Mr. D. W. Chelvaratnam, District . Mr. S. Selvadurai, Urumpurai. . The Atchuvelly North Communit ... Mr. K. Sivaguru, Puthur.
15.54 AT CHAV Mr. T. Guneratnam, Madduvil Sc Mr. W. S. Karthigesu, Proctor, S. Mr. T. Murugesapillai, Divisional

L. PAPERS, 1954
irman, Vadducoddai. Chairman, Manipay. operative Hospital Society Ltd.
Co-operative Credit Society, Chuli
orth Ceylon Co-op. Tourist Society. mam West Tappers’ Union. 7, Thalovathy Co-op. Coir Weavers”
Commissioner of Excise, Jaffna
KAYTS rah Products Co-op. Society. venue Officer, Islands.
Delft.
KESANTURAI i.
lduvan. orth Ceylon Workmen's Union.
sional Revenue Officer, Valikamam
INT PEDRO ll Revenue Officer, Vudamaradchchi.
C., Pt. Pedro. , R. D. S., Tenmaradchchi.
a.
South.
West.
INT PEDRO Pedro.
North.
З. Union.
EERVELLY Revenue Officer, Valikamam East.
y Centre.
AKACHCHIERI
uth.
C., Kodikamam.
Revenue Officer, Pallai.

Page 19
66.
67. 68. 69.
TREE TAX SYS
The Chairman, Vice-Chairman
Chavakachcheri. Mr. Ti. Samuel Thambiah, Divisio: Mr. K. T. Sampanthapillai, Chava Dr. J. M. Sittampalam, D. M. O.,
70. Mr. M. Namasivayam, Vannaank
1.5.54-AT 71. The Ven. J. A. R. Navaratnam, A 72. Mr. P. J. Hudson, Government A
2.5.54-AT 73. Mr. T. W. Thiagarajah, Chairman 74. The North Ceylon Sanmarka Siv
APPENI
Gloss
*“ ERA ” In the No) drawn i burned C them. Th
** GOIYA ” Sinhalese “KALAINEER ” Tamil for
been was “ KODA” Tamil for tobacco ents, uS times as of spirit * KODDIL' or o KOT- Tamil for
TIL ” w “KUDDAN' or “KUT- Tamil for TAIN ” 8 palmyra size thin “MUDALALI' or “MU- An employ
DALALY ” (plural “ Mudalalies”) “ NA LAVA" Tamil cast “ NAMIBIE ° ... Tamil cast “ OLA” (plural “ Olas”) Tamil for *** PAILA. ” Tamil cast “ PANNADAI ” Tamil for " ing the : “ PARIAH ” ... Tamil cast “PLA” (plural “ plas”) Tamil for
out of tl * POOMATHAI” Tamil for toddy m in toddy ** SATHAKAM ” Tamil for “ VEILLALA. ”
Tamil cast

TEM IN JAFFNA 19
and one Member, Town Council,
nal Revenue Officer, Tenmaradchchi. akachcheri.
Chavakachcheri.
erni.
JAFFNA
.rchdeacon of Jaffna. gent, N. P.
JAFFNA
, V. C., Chavakachcheri. a Sabai.
DX II
sary
rthern Province toddy is sometimes n pots, in which straw has been vernight, for the purpose of cleaning his toddy is locally known as “ERA'.
for “a farmer '.
“The Water in which raw rice has shed '.
“a mixture of toddy, water, jaggery, juice and sometimes other ingredi2d for flavouring cigars, and some
a base for the unlawful distillation
S.
“a shed'.
"a small basket woven out of the h leaf, in size and shape like an outmble ’.
rer of paid labour.
E-ΙΩaIY1Θ.
e-lane. “a palmyrah leaf".
e-rae.
the fibrous protective husk surroundyoung palmyrah shoot'.
e-Ilale.
“a drinking cup or vessel fashioned he palmyrah leaf.
"a leaf used in making fermented ore potent by immersion of the leaf
y
“a sickle'.
e-lane.

Page 20
20 CEYLON SESSION
EVID
Jaffna Municipal Council (Co.
Superintendent of Police, Jaffna-Mr.
I have been here 2 years. I don't k the tavern system. I would not say t lot of drunkenness-a lot of liquor i I have not met any cases of drunken not seen anyone drunk. I have see Station. I have served in other Dist: decrease. In 1950 there were 1,406 c 1952-1,132, 1953-1,121 cases. In 193: and 1938-1401. The peak was in 194 whether crime was due to the cons There is an increase in burglary ins tax system. The people I have seen di later furnished the following particu
(1) There have been no cases of
16 years who have been fou in Court. This is in respe up-to-date for the Jaffna I
(2) I append beow the Police S years 1930, 1931, 1937, 1938,
Strength of Police Year S. PP/A.S.PP. I. PP./S. II.
1930 4 93. 4 1937 I 9 1938 . . 10 . . 1954 ... 4 . . 24 . .
In 1 ny opinion about 20 per cent. of the rest was not connected with it. packet. About 20 of these packets wil When required. I have not seen tappe which it is tapped. They mostly sell a of the permits leads to abuse. Ther waits at the foot of the tree until the
Office-bearers of the Gandhi Se Secretary, A. Markandan, Vic President, R. Kandiah, Comr Vice-President, present).
The tree tax system has been harr are having recourse to toddy, and ev toddy. Toddy is not sold at the foot ( are no trees. (Mrs. Masilamani says t toddy.) Neuther women nor men sho is difficult to control them. How can time run their homes and look after
We don't agree with the S. P. that to drinking toddy. The Police come a brought to their notice. Some of the out cases of drunkenness ? (Mrs. Mas to her house were using obscene lan

AL PAPERS, 1954
ENCE
mmittee Room)-April 23, 1954
, C. P. Wambeek
now anything about the conditions of hat the Tree Tax System produces a being consumed. During last month hess. During the last 4 months I have cases of drunkenness at the Police icts. Crime at the moment is on the ases of serious crime. In 1951-1,207, it was 1,265, 1936-1,211, 1937-1,195 5-2,124 cases. I cannot definitely say umption of toddy or to other liquor. ead of violent crime due to the tree runk have never been women. (S. P. lars) :-
women and children under the age of nd drunk and disorderly and charged, ct of the years 1952, 1953 and 1954, )istrict.
trength of the Jaffna District for the
and 1954.
in Jaffna District
P.S.S. P.C.C. Totol
Il . . 90 .. 06
10 . . 93 . . 08
14 . . 6 .. 140 14 . . 20 . . 145
36 . . 27 . . 28
the crime is due to drunkenness and Jaggery costs about 5 cents a small l make a lb. Jaggery can be obtained }rs selling toddy under the tree from it sheds at central places. The system will be less business if the tapper customers call.
va Sangam (S. K. Velauthapillai, 2-President, V. Eliyathamby, Vicenittee Member, Mrs. Masilamani,
hful. Even the students in the schoof en women and children are drinking f the tree but at places where there
nat women and children are drinking uld drink; but in the case of men it women take to drink and at the same the children ?
20 per cent. Only of the crimes is due cross these cases only when they are Police are drunk. How can they find lamani said that families living close uage and using their knives on each

Page 21
TREE TAX SYS
other.) They don't go to courts. (Ot
in Neerveli a crime was committed admit that most of the crimes in Jal due to stimulants. Those who are not Women and children will not go to getting into a palmyrah grove and ( are now drinking toddy will give up is abolished.
Q. “If 5 associations (Co-operative a tavern in an area how will you sele
A. "You can rely on their joinin working in unity.' Another practica will be mismanagement. The tavern same extent as the tree tax license (water with which rice is washed). tree tax system because there is a go system there is difficult in checking t system it is easy. From a tavern one illicit arrack but under the tree tax hours of sale can be enforced in the ( tax, as every house is a place of sale, i cost about 80 cents a lb. Candy costs India. We intend getting an Indian E from palmyrah sweet toddy. Places manufacturing jaggery from Sweet more than that derived from toddy ta
Q. “Why then do people under the produce fermented toddy ?”
A. "Because the process of makir resort to this. Many Indian illicit ent ping in the Jaffna District. Local tap enough work for them as well as for toddy is so great. The Indian tappers : a wage basis. Some of the Indian tapp have filtered in since the abolition o reasonably tap only 15 to 30 trees trees. We suggest (1) a compulsory
(2) that those who tap toddy shoul sweet toddy. This is a step to introd expert told us that one palmyrah tree of jaggery (or an equivalent of 100 l
Assistant Commissioner of Excise, Ja
The tree tax system is harmful. Bel opinion that this system was good. I system has deteriorated. I have also c women have taken to drink. Tappers pounds have eloped with daughters of of at least six such cases. There wa where owing to a case of assault by a the land where he was tapping (which have decided not to give any trees seen anybody drunk. I think a tap selling fermented toddy than by man facture of jaggery from coconut toddy

TEM IN JAFFINA 21
hers said that at a co-operative store as a result of drinking toddy.) We fna are premeditated and this is not , near taverns will not start drinking. the tavern but they woud not mind rink toddy. Most of the people who drinking toddy if the tree tax system
Societies) apply for a licence to open ct the Society ?'
g any one Co-operative Society and ll difficulty to Co-operative Societies keepers did not break the law to the es. Toddy is mixed with “ kalaneer’ There is keen competition under the lod demand for toddy. In the ti De tax he quality of toddy, but in the tavern cannot buy sufficient toddy to distill system this is possible. Restriction of :ase of taverns, but in the case of tree t is impossible to enforce this. Jaggery between Rs. 2 and Rs. 2.50 per lb. in xpert to produce Jaggery and candy like Alvai and Polikandy have been toddy and they say their profits are pping. Profits justify making jaggery.
a pretence of tapping for sweet toddy
ng jaggery is rather tedious, so they ants engage themselves in toddy tapopers do not protest because there is the Indian tappers. The demand for are employed by the “Mudalalies' on )ers have ration books. Indian tappers f drink in India. A Jaffna tapper can a day, but an Indian taps 40 to 50 local option poll Once in 3 years and ld tap an equal number of trees for uce prohibition gradually. An Indian e could produce Rs. 15 (Indian) worth ps. per tree per year).
fina-Mr. A. Murugesoe
bore the last Commission I was of the have since changed my opinion, as the Ome to know that school children and who were allowed to tap trees in comthe owners of the compounds. I know s a case recently at Chankanai West tapper on a land owner's daughter in his pending in Court) the land owners in that area for tapping. I have not per will make 25 per cent. profit by ufacturing jaggery. There is no manuy here. A coconut tree yields 1 bottles

Page 22
22 CEYLON SESSION
a day per tree, a palmyrah female tree 4 bottles. Transport permits are the c. present system. These permits had to Excise Commissioner and the Membe the inception of the system.
About 10 to 12thousand people take not include Indian tappers. It will not employing a tapper. It would not be to find the number of trees required in lands in which one can take 10 tree; deterioration is that the licensees hav rules. The demand for toddy was not was also a cause of deterioration. WI sheds were not allowed. After 1944 th was agitation for sheds to protect the to balam. I think one way of circumvent to apply for the maximum number of same number of trees in the name o. Another way to circumvent the rules but in the same garden the licensee h living hut, but which is really used toddy. There are so many thousands excise staff is insufficient to superviset with 30 gallons of toddy at Chunnaki paymyrah trees licensed in the garden Licensees use one transport permit r toddy but several according to the al "taste-boutiques' have also started t just as in tavern areas to attract more employed now under the tree tax syste have one or two trees of their own in are entitled to keep the toddy in suc trees to be licensed to 20 under the will be able to get 20 trees each in issue of transport permits that leads ti If the tree tax system is to continue i restrictions be reimposed. Under th remunerated at so much per tree and and they were able to earn daily Rs. time tapper is able to earn Rs. 15. In have to pay for the trees-the renter tapper will have to pay for the tree the cost of living it cannot be said til now under tree tax system, than he di say that the tapper would be 50 per system. I am not in favour of specifica it will prevent a man in that area he needs it.
Mr. R. Thiagarajah of Nayanmarkadd
I leased out my trees for tapping 3 better. Under the tree tax system th even children and women do drink. I give any specific instance where crir Several have become ruined by dr consumed under the tree tax systen toddy is to remain, it should be und

AL PAPERS, 1954
gives 9 bottles a day and a male tree hief cause of the deterioration of the be issued under rules framed by the Cs of the State Council and others at
up to tapping-not full time. This does be practical to prevent a man from practicable for each of the licensees. one compound. There are not 10,000 s for each tapper. Another cause of e learned to circumvent the tree tax so great then. Construction of sheds hen the system started even 4 X 4 he sheds were allowed because there oddy, sponsored by Mr. G. G. Ponnamng the rules is for a tree tax licensee trees in his name and also take the f his brother or some other relation. is to erect 4 x 4" shed for the toddy, as another shed which he says is his as a miniature tavern to sell the of these tree tax licences that the his. I personally detected a big tavern am market. There were only 4 male at the time and not one was yielding. not to transport One consignment of mount stated in the permit. Of late, o spring by the side of toddy sheds e custom. Out of 10 to 12,000 tappers m, I should say about 4 to 5 thousand heir own gardens and therefore they ch gardens. Reducing the number of system will do no good as one man the name of many others. It is the o the formation of miniature taverns. t is very important that sweet toddy e tavern system the tappers were they supplied the toddy to the renter 2. Under the tree tax system a full the tavern days the tapper did not found the trees for him. Today the is making allowance for the rise in hat a tapper earns appreciably more lid under the tavern system. I would cent. better off under the tree tax tion of areas for sweet toddy because from getting fermented toddy when
years ago. The tavern system is much here is no restricted saile of toddyhave not seen women drunk. I cannot ne was committed because of toddy. inking toddy. More toddy is being in than under the tavern system. If er the tavern system. I will be glad

Page 23
TREE TAX SYS'
if there will be prohibition. To som during the period of prohibition. T period of prohibition.
Mr. J. S. Nicholas, retired Assistant
I was Assistant Commissioner of
to 10 men to tap. He pays 6 to 10 cent of having a large number of small t taverns? 25 per cent. of the tapper 75 per cent. are employed by "mu cents a bottle. When I returned to still in force I started prosecuting t were being tapped (under section 4 a lull in illicit tapping and consequer the taverns. The taverns were re-ope the taverns were re-opened, except in tax system was experimented with i. was satisfactory, as there were no number of Excise Officers were remc ture taverns and sheds sprang up. T that middlemen got control of the t with paid tappers. Tree owners arra and give it to him at a fixed price, wh even in the rural areas when it ex Under the tree tax system there is n sold or payments made to tappers accounts have to be kept and wages the Wages Boards Ordinance. Some the tree tax system and others are \ owners of trees who are better off. I higher than trees tax revenue, but i is re-introduced. Under the taverns a powerful ally in suppressing illicit the tavern system are much less th form of supervisory staff. Under the and 14 or 15 guards and one Supe superintendents, 35 inspectors and kept in the open and is liable to con of the tree tax system being abolishe re-opening of the taverns which we the tree tax system and which had poll after prohibition. I know prohib enforced at the point of the pistol, w cratic State.
Mr. P. Thambirajah, retired Postmas
The tavern system is better than has enabled the people of this are: and children are toddy minded. Ev tavern system should bring in bett mercy of the Tree Tax licensee as reg toddy system will not do as any pro ment. I do not think public opinion w teachers have told me that many st during the school intervals. This is people drunk. This can be seen eve

EM IN JAFFNA 23
e extent the people were better off here was illicit tapping during the
Dommissioner of Excise
Excise, Jaffna. A licensee employs 8 per bottle and sells at 50 cts. Instead averns, why not have 2 or 3 licenced s tap for themselves–the remaining jalalies'. The tapper is paid only 8
this District when prohibition was he land owners on which lands trees 0). As soon as I did that there was tly there was a movement to re-open hed. Immediately after the prohibition Valikamam North Division. The tree 1 Vali North. At the start this system middlemen then. During the war a ved and control become loose. Minia"he other cause for deterioration was rees and leased out trees for tapping nged for the tapper to tap the toddy nich he sold at his price. It is probable pands the same difficulty will arise. lo system of accounting for the toddy ... Whereas under the tavern system s to tappers &c. are controlled under of the tappers are better off under worse off. It is those tappers who are nave not said that tavern revenue was t will be higher if the tavern system ystem Government has in the renter tapping. The overhead charges under an under the tree tax system in the tavern system there were 7 inspectors rintedent, whereas now there are 2 75 or 80 guards. Toddy is at present tamination by crows, &c. In the event d I would recommend the immediate re closed administratively to enforce been re-opened earlier by local option bition is unworkable and can only be hich will not be tolerated in a demo
ter-Jaffna
he Tree Tax system as the Tree Tax to drink much more, even women n from a revenue point of view the er revenue. The customer is at the gard the price of toddy. A co-operative fits that accrue must go the Governill support such a system. Many school udents rush off for a drink of toddy
demoralising. I have noticed many ry evening. I think these people are

Page 24
24 - CEYLON SESSIO
drunk on toddy as they are seen in
live close to some of these houses. I prohibition, that will take away the I have seen of the collection of toddy Tree Tax toddy is any fresher tha aware of any serious crime having toddy.
Mr. M. Kumaraswamypillai, Groce:
I have lived here for the last 35 y I have seen prohibition at work, thi Tax System at work. Prohibition System, then the Tavern System i tappers live in Jaffna town person tap on their own, the others includi are some who receive Rs. 80 to Rs. the gallon of toddy supplied. In the even Headmen and Vellalas take C bring the recent murder and riots a East and West and the Islands the Wellala people. In wards 6, 7 and 8 of the tapper class holds a tree tax licences and employ tappers to do th ated but I do not know if this is so sold close to any residence in Jaffna 10 p.m. I do not know what is done end of the day. There is a feeling he tappers wil have no work. This is for the taverns and do other work System, particularly in Jaffna Town
Mr. A. Sinniah of Kaithady, Retired
College
There are four toddy booths near about 11 a.m. till about 10 p.m., this i; 15 years of age drinking but I have 1 booths. It is quite common to see p such as funerals, which appear to be I have not seen the tavern system v than tree tax. I have heard toddy is but I have no personal knowledge Kaithady South where I live who hir man who buys toddy from other lic say five cents per gallon less, and the because he has other jobs, such as tol to do.
Mr. E. P. Rasiah of Vannarponnai N
man
The Tree Tax System is very har and is therefore a temptation to al heard consumers say toddy is adult secret and as such they are not part get. Generally consumers attach t My Goiyas at Pooneryn cannot worl themselves to the local tapper and a

NAL PAPERS, 1954
the vicinity of toddy tappers' houses. I will not go so far as to advocate total right of individual liberty. From what by tappers now for sale I do not think n tavern toddy. I am not personally een committed by the consumption of
ears, I am a native of Velanai, Kayts. tavern system at work and the Tree was the worst than the Tree Tax n that order. I know about 40 or 50 ally. Out of 10 tappers three or four ng Indian tappers, tap for hire. There 100 per month and others are paid by town areas tappers tap, in rural areas ut licences in their name. I wish to t Servanai to your notice. In Velanai majority of the tree tax licensees are of Velanai West not a single member licence. Wellala people take out the e work. I have heard toddy is adulter. I have not seen this done. Toddy is . Most drinking takes place from 4 to with the toddy that is left over at the re that if the tree tax is abolished the not so. They can be employed to tap ... No improvement in the Tree Tax , can be affected.
Lecturer in Surveying in the Technical
my house where toddy is sold from is a nuisance. I have seen children over not seen any women drinking in these eople drink particularly on Occasions a picnic to them and on festival days. fork in this area. It is bad but better adulterated when the supply is low of this. I know of two licensees in a tappers to tap for them. There is one ensees at less than the correct price, in sells this toddy. The tapper does so acco cultivation and general farming,
rth-East, Pawn Broker and Business
hful as toddy is available at all times
and sundry to drink toddy. I have rated. Women and children drink in cular about the quality of toddy they hemselves to some particular seller. without toddy and they have bound t the end of every season their share

Page 25
TREE, TAX SYS
of paddy is handed over to the tapp tapper The tavern system was bette under the tavern system to the same independent, some however tap for h. a better proposition for the tappers. I out trees to tappers, and employing on payment of a daily wage. I have se I have seen four chronic cases so far gets out in the morning, earns a few evening fully drunk and assaults his wife gets very little money if at all her wits end to feed her half a dozen a result of the tree tax system and p. There is definite demoralisation. (W of such demoralisation).
- The Saiva Paripaillana Subhai, Jaffma
Represented by Mr. A. Arulamp: Assistant Secretary, Mr. S. P. Kand Treasurer.
We definitely find the tree tax syste a very large scale. I have not person far this month-this is the opinion of association is pledged, on religious gr we prefer *he lesser one, viz., the tav assured Sir Baron Jayatillake that the toddy and had prohibition lifted. We : Today under the tree tax system wo unlimited opportunities for drinking. tappers can take up to industries a abolished. A little sacrifice will be learn a new trade. -
Mr. S. F. X. Annasamipillai, Coroner
The tree tax system is very harmf house and there is resultant immor this. I know of tappers who make m paying income tax. I held an inque; after falling off a tree. He left Rs. 1: up big houses and have acquired now taken to drink. Prohibition wa the purveyors of illicit liquor were There are over one thousand Indian local tappers for a wage. The wage I I am also told the Indian tapper ca than a local tapper.
Mr. S. Paranirvasingham of Jaffna
I am a teacher. I now submit my tree tax system is very harmful.
Q. “How will the tree owner get
A. “To get this money from tod ways and means be found to bottle with beer. The palmyrah root whic as child food like Horlicks.

TEM IN JAFFNA 25
ers and they are yet in debt to the C. It is not possible to sell for credit extent. The majority of tappers are re. Economically tree tax is certainly am also aware of Vellala men leasing poor tappers on a gallonage basis or 2n many people drunk and disorderly. this month. I have a neighbour who rupees a day, and comes back in the wife, if the meals are not ready. The to run the house with and she is at children. The morality is also low as articularly among the middle classes. itness gives many specific instances
lam, Secretary, Mr. V. Karthigesu, iah, Manager, and Mr. E. P. Rasiah,
m harmful as we see drunkenness on ally seen one case of drunkenness so various members of this Subhai. Our ounds to prohibition of the two evils fern system. The members for Jaffna people of Jaffna could not do without say this representation was a mistake. men and children drink owing to the As we have said in our memorandum and agriculture if toddy drinking is necessary on the part of tappers to
ul. Toddy is sold in practically every ality. I have personal knowledge of nore than Rs. 600 per month without st on a young tapper once who died 2,000 in cash. Many tappers have put property. Women and children have is a failure in Jaffna, in that period
the so called Temperance workers. tappers in town now who tap under understand is 15 or 16 cts. per bottle. n extract more toddy from a spathe
reply to the questionnaire. I say the
Rs. 30 from a tree ?'
dy tapping is wrong.” I suggest that sweet toddy and sell it in competition h I call the hypercotyle can be used

Page 26
26 CEYLON SESSION
Ja
Members of St. John de Britto Fisherie
Amirthavasagam and M. Nadarajah
The President of the Union is out . represent the Union. We are fisherme tavern system. The tree tax system children, women and others are ta murder, theft, &c. In every toddy boot very secretly and they cannot be caug at the Police Station. The gamblers h if anybody approached. We did not afraid. Ours is a Small village. We nei cases of spathes being cut but we ha have seen Excise Officers ordering th some of them but they take the Inspe and order not to cut the spathes. The bribed. (It is explained to them that w they will pay the tax the spathes ar. no case of murder, but families hav heard of murders in other parts, but quarrel after drinks. Because there a there is disturbance to the worshipp Some tappers in our village tap inde We do not know how the tappers are tappers are well-to-do or not, as the our village do not manufacture jagge It is about 8 to 10 cts. a packet. We tl Sugar is cheaper than jaggery. We ar. from India. In the past only elderly and girls of 10 have started to drink the toddy to the young. We are for t of prohibition.
Mr. A. C. Amarasingam, Vice-Presider Mr. A. Rrulampalam, Secretary of t
The Tree Tax system is bad. We r cieties under it. The tree tax systen small children are drinking toddy on and parents are aware of this. They the occurrence. We have not seen chil The tappers are paid Rs. 2 a day for ta The amount of share varies. 20 trees but the Indian tappers can tap more t toddy. We are not aware that the im the tree. We are in favour of total p. plentiful in the bazaar. Compared wi There is an inclination on the part c labourer is paid Rs. 3 to Rs. 3.50 pe instance at Pt. Pedro, a labourer is
Mr. S. R. Kanaganayagam, Senator
I contend there is no tree tax syst it was introduced but it has failed fr We have tried the tree tax for a gene)

AL PAPERS, 1954
affna Municipal. Committee Room, 24th April, 1954.
es Union from Passaiyur-(Messrs. M.
)
fishing and therefore we are sent to in by trade. We are in favour of the has caused many troubles-bribery, king to drinks. There is gambling, h gambling is going on. They gamble ght in the act. We have made entries have watchers to give them warning
inform the Police, because we are ther drink nor gamble. We have seen ve not seen bribes being offered. We e cutting of spathes. They don't cut actor aside and soon they come back refore we infer that they have been hen tappers give an undertaking that e not cut.) In our village there was re been ruined by toddy. We have not in Our Village. In our place they re toddy booths close to the Church pers also. We are Roman Catholics. pendently and others tap for others. paid. We do not know whether the y live outside our village. People of ry. We buy jaggery from boutiques. nink about 5 packets will make a lb. e not aware that jaggery is imported people used to drink, but now boys . The tappers themselves try to sell ioddy taverns. We are not in favour
ht of the N. D. Co-op. Federation and he Federation
epresent the Federation and the Son has introduced many evils. Some their way to school. The Principals can only punish the children after dren behaving in a drunken manner. apping and they also share the toddy. can be tapped by the Jaffna tapper irees. The imported tapper gets more ported tapper taps more toddy from rohibition ultimately. Jaggery is not ith sugar jaggery is more expensive. if tappers not to tap for Vellalas. A r day in the town, but outside, for paid Rs. 2 and the mid-day meal.
em in Jaffna nov. A generation ago om the administrative point of view. ration. The present generation do not

Page 27
TREE TAX SY
know what the tavern system was.
intended for the first 10 or 15 years.
sion sat, public opinion was divided opinion was sharply divided. They w more. As far as I can see public op tree tax system obtaining after the W owner. It is true that the owner gets
system the farmer and the tapper l is in money value. The tree tax syst out any supervision. The members contact. This always brings about
differences in village matters. Ther among Vellalas and other castes, and of the tree tax system. Though pro and unworkable. The tapper pays fc thus depriving Government of reven thing for the tapper to pay tax for
It is not possible for the Excise D sleeps in each garden where tapping The policing of the palmyrah trees also objectionable. The tappers have ample, Pungudutivu engages tapper In the tapping class there are 2 d ordinary tapper from the village are: ago there was no tapper who could be business men from the bazaar. If in the form of pubs in England or t. Committees and supervised by the I not be run on past lines. All should could have an inner bar where they Jaffna though there are not specific fear of reprisals as one community an area. There are a lot more Police sometimes take bribes and settle suc at Anaikoddai was opened I did not it is not the case. Let there be a de and let it be supervised. The pubs C tively or as private companies. In th more manufacture of jaggery. There if clean pubs are established. Publi cause it would be better to go to a n house. The present system has aggr group and the upper group. As toddy the tree owner will get his in is introduced I agree that those wh ping area assigned to a particular ta ever do not recommend the old tav which saloon bars will be opened fo and sanitary conditions providing { the present day one finds milk ba open to all. Being intoxicating liquo supervise these establishments. In t there should not be too many of thi should not be more than 15 such sa cide who is to open such a bar, if i have to be under the aegis of the C you determine as to who is to be gr A. “It should not be allowed for in
bars. Only Co-operative should be a
Co-operative Society is to be given

TEM IN JAFFNA 27
ree tax was successful as originally n 1946 when the Molamure CommisThe Commissioners found that the anted to try the system for sometime inion has now hardened against the ar. It does not bring any profit to the Rs. 30 for a tree. But under the feudal ad greater benefits. Now everything m has become a tavern system withof the family of both have greater lashes and litigation in Courts and e is a clear division in the District the tappers. This is due to the failure hibition is an ideal, it is impractical r 10 trees and taps 20 or more trees le on 10 or more trees. It is a frequent 10 trees and to tap 30 trees or more. partment to stop it unless a Guard is taking place from 3 a.m. till 9 p.m. has become impossible. Taverns are now become "mudalalies.' For exs from Point Pedro or other places. ivisions-the “mudalalies', and the as and the tapper from India. 30 years become a renter. The renters used to at all we revive taverns it should be averns in America run by the Village Department of Health. Taverns should be treated equally. Even the Saivaites. 7 can drink. There is caste tension in cases which go to Court because of or other has less or more influence in now than there used to be and Police h cases also. Before the Police Station , notice any trouble in the area. Now cent place to go to and have a drink, r restaurants should be run co-operalose days there was less of toddy and will be better service and less trouble c opinion also would be satisfied be2at pub instead of to the Nalava man's avated the clash between the tapping long as there is a demand for 2Ome. If the old type of tavern system o own trees in areas outside the tapvern will suffer economic loss. I howern system. I recommend a system by r sale of toddy in decent surroundings qual seating for all people just as at is and railway refreshment carriages , some Government Department must he event of Saloon Bars being opened m. For example, in Jaffna town there loon bars-one for each ward. To de, is a co-operative undertaking, it will o-operative Department. Q. “How can anted permission to open such a bar ?' dividuals to compete and have several lowed.' Q. How can you decide which he licence?' A. "This can be decided

Page 28
28 CEYLON, SESSIO.
in the same manner as in thfe čase of choose a Co-operative Society for t to answer the question). Q. "For should be no areas restricted for tap do you say that the tapping should A. Each society should decide for i should tap anywhere in Jaffna.”
Mr. C. Muttutamby, retired Kachche
I am a pensioner. My observation Supervision is difficult. There is mol I have seen a number of drunken in other places. I am for prohibition a cannot be done immediately—it ha this from the failure of prohibition i. when the tappers will give up this t jobs like clerks, doctors, civil servan men coming to the temple drunk. tappers will suffer. I am therefore they can get toddy at any time of t the night after spending all their mc or 18 drinking toddy. I understand th not seen them drink. As far as I kn to drink daily. I am not aware of an of toddy drinking. I have seen a fel is any way to improve the tree tax sy I don't agree with Senator Kanaga bars.
North Ceylon Toddy Tappers' Union Joseph's College, Mr. S. R. Jacob M.M.C. (Chundikuli), and Mr. M. Secretary
We are for the tree tax system. It condition of the tappers and it is a number of schools managed by the H depressed class children. Ramanath admit our children, but 13 years ag that this has become possible becaus account of better economic conditi difficulty as our children were dres; not admit our children to the board it was not every tapper who got emp the renter had employment. Other ta the renter. In every tavern only 20 the tavern system there used to be i were not employed, and they had no system a tapper was able to get Re. the bottle-4 cents. for palmyrah t To earn this amount the tapper wil in the toddy before 8.30 a.m. and ag in the toddy before 3 p.m. Now they own masters. Now they have the f renter would not pay the whole am the week. Sometimes he would pay times a part of the toddy had to be paid for only a portion of the toddy. mercy of the renter. The vast majorit and not employees of anybody else

NAL PAPERS, 1954
Onion Societies.' Q. “How can you he purpose ?' A. (Witness is unable these saloon bars do you say there ping ? For these various saloon bars, be confined to any particular area 2' self where to obtain the toddy. They
ri Mudaliyar, Anaipanthy
is that tree tax was tried and failed. e drunkenness now than ever before. hen in the Grand Bazaar area and at I consider drinking a sin. I know it got to be done gradually. I gather n Jaffna in the past. A time will come apping job and take up to some other is, &c. I have seen a number of young If tapping is completely stopped the
in favour of opening taverns. Now he night and people go home late in oney on toddy. I have seen boys of 17 at women get down toddy but I have ow it is not a regular thing for boys y serious crime committed as a result w Indian tappers. I don't think there stem by the introduction of new rules. nayagam that we should start toddy
-Mr. J. D. Aseervatham, Teacher, St. , President (Uduvil), Mr. G. Nalliah, C. Subramaniam, Timber Merchant,
has definitely improved the economic great help against casts oppression. A inu Board of Education did not admit an and Parameshvera Colleges now o they did not admit them. We feel se our children are neatly dressed on ons. The management did not find sed better. Ramanathan College does ing house. During the tavern system ployed. Only the tappers employed by appers did not get employment under
tappers or so were engaged. Under llicit tapping, because all the tappers other occupation. During the tavern to Re. 1.40 a day. They were paid by pddy and 6 cents for coconut toddy. have to get out at 3 a.m. and bring ain go to work at 12 noon and bring can tap at any time as they are their reedom to do the work or not. The ount due to the tapper at the end of
the tapper for all the toddy, but at destroyed and the tapper would be In other words the tapper was at the y of the tappers are their own masters . The trees have to be leased from

Page 29
TREE TAX SYS
Somebody else. A smaller nufsberg, tá Rs. 200 (licence fee) for 20 t ໂດວ໌
foddy is sold at 10 cents a bottle. It c is not correct to say that the price var When the coconut toddy season come 60 cents., i.e., from July to Decembe villages it will be still less. The av (months January-April a gross profit c the coconut season from July to Decer bie Rs. 15 or Rs. 18 a day. That is by than this if they tap more trees. The day. The monthly income during the ea grOSS, from January to April. In Ma rofits would be less than Rs. 5 a day. Rs. 5 a day. July to December Rs. 15 month. Before the first war, i.e., befo) than that of sugar and therefore the try in jaggery. Now sugar has becom interest in jaggery. Now suggar cost to Jaggery. Even now in Pt. Pedro , facture jaggery they are unable to S is used for the manufacture of "kodi of jaggery. We need about 6 bottles jaggery. It is not an economic proposi fermented toddy. Wherever sweet to to give half the produce to the tree give the owner lease money of Rs. 2 But this is not the custom. It is no women go to the booths and drink. homes. It is not generally true that S. If this were true there would have be cipals and parents. As far as we kno There are more than 25,000 tappers District. It is only an approximate fig figures. Some of the tappers not only There are only a very few tappers w tappers do tapping and only 10 per ce are a number of illicit immigrants District in tapping for toddy. We al tappers sent away. It is true that " ) We believe they are paid according coconut toddy and 6 or 7 cents a bo invasion of the Indian tappers that in Jaffna. In Jaffna town there are
outside there are none. These “m tappers because the Indians can tap r the Jaffna tapper. One Indian tapper takes more out of the tree than the definitely better than the tavern syst toddy under the tree tax system bec system and therefore every seller trie to say that the toddy is sold under ir toddy is sold on credit. This can hap is uncommon under the tavern syste toddy on credit. To some extent it is for the excise staff under the treet
There are far more opportunities f because there are so many regulatic cult from the tappers''' point of vie

TEM IN JAFFNA 29
* *mudalalies.* He pays thèyield is 3 bottles per tree. The an also go up to 50 cents a bottle. It ies from 25 cents to 60 cents a bottle. as the price of a bottle can go up to r. That is in the Town area. In the erage tapper will make during the of about Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 a day. During mber the average gross income would tapping 20 trees: some can get more average man can tap about 12 trees a arly months of the year will be Rs. 150 ay to June there is a decrease. The During May and June also they earn to Rs. 18 a day, Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 a ce 1914, the price of jaggery was less villagers had a regular cottage induse popular and nobody now takes an s 60 cents a lb. People prefer sugar and Uduppiddi where people manuell the jaggery to consumers, but it a.” They get 40 to 50 cents for a lb. of sweet toddy to make a pound of tion. They get much more by selling oddy is tapped the tapper will have owner. It is much more economic to 0 or 30 than to give half the toddy. t true that at Anaikoddai boys and They can get down toddy to their chool boys drink regularly at booths. een a general hue and cry from prinw there has been no such complaint. who are living by tapping in Jaffna. ure. It is not possible to give accurater tap but also do other work as well. tho do other jobs. 96 per cent. of the nt. do other jobs. It is true that there who are engaged now in the Jaffna ce trying out best to get the Indian mudalalies' are bringing them here.
to the bottle. 20 cents a bottle of ttle of palmyrah. It is only after the the system of “mudalalies' started only about 9 such “mudalalies' and udalalies' prefer employing Indian more trees and get a better yield than taps about 40 trees. The Indian tapper local tapper. The Tree Tax system is em. We deny there is adulteration to ause there is competition under this is to sell the best stuff. It is not correct sanitary conditions. It is correct that pen under any system. Sale on credit m. Under the tree tax system we give correct that there is more opportunity ax system to be corrupt.
or bribery under the tree tax system, ins under the system which are diffiw. To obtain a transport permit we

Page 30
30 CEYLON SESSION.
often have to offer a bribe. The tapp the tree is numbered. To prevent giving a bribe. When the tree tax ap Excise Station the tapper pays the loc when the number of trees applied fo Re. 1. If this is not paid there is del There are unauthorised Excise Stati the Excise people tell us to go to a p and we have to pay that man for t money goes to the Excise Station. V trees, the tapper attaches the posts The Excise Officer visits the area. He offence overlooked. This happens in aware of any Excise Station where sl tree is marked the tapper removes th sale. As permits are issued very Spa by the Excise or Police Officers (tr the tapper will have to pay the de prosecution. When a tapper taps one next garden. He will not sell it unde.
Mr. A. Perumynar, Divisional Reven
I have been in Jaffna for 3 mont Pallai and 5 years at Pt. Pedro. Th than the tavern system. There is m case of serious crime because of tod day and night. Youths who are at S cinema shows and patronize the tod cide is greater. Aged parents have I one of the reasons for this. The dril pread. A lot of women drink todd compounds. Women who have not d For measles and rickets parents give In a Jaffna village the children cop no other type of control. There is a system the renter had his agents to Illicit tapping is done with the con men. I say there is illicit tapping all
Mr. K. Navaratnam, Mr. A. Ambalav senting the North Ceylon Prohibitic
We are against the tree tax sys toddy throughout the country inclu available throughout the day and ni nakam where in 1953 there was a favour of total prohibition. Governm industries to enable them to earn a Sugar and jaggery, Sugar and jagge factured, locally. Except those who other tappers spend part of their tin for wages. I am the principal of : experience in my school there have Tree Tax system has introduced eas, This was not the case under the t. 40ccasions. Many boys go to the late

AL PAPERS, 1954
her begins to prepare the tree before prosecution is another occasion for plication form is handed over at the all staff 50 cents to Re. 1. Sometimes r is big they have to pay more than ay in registration of the application. ons and Kachcheries, that is to say, articular man to have the form filled he services rendered. A part of the When there is delay in marking the
to the tree before it is numbered. has to be paid Rs. 5 or so to have the almost all the villages. We are not uch bribes are not accepted. Once the he toddy to the most central spot for aringly, when he is so caught either ansporting toddy without a permit) tecting officer something to prevent tree he takes the toddy across to the r the tree.
ue Officer, Jaffna
hs. Before that I was for 2 years at e Tree Tax system is more harmful ore drunkenness. I know no specific dy. Toddy is sold at all times of the chool or have left it go for the late dy booths. Tendency to commit suino control over the youths. Toddy is nking habit has become more widesy because toddy is tapped in their runk toddy before are drinking now.
toddy to the children as a medicine. y what the parents do and there is lot of illicit tapping. In the tavern see that no illicit tapping was done. hivance of Excise Officers and Headover the place.
anar and Mr. S. Ambikaipakar, repreom League
tem. There is increased drinking of ding women and children. Toddy is ght. There is a toddy booth at ChunSerious crime committed. We are in hent can employ the tappers in other living. By raising the import duty on ry from sweet toddy can be manuare hirelings of “mudalalies' the he in tapping and the rest in working a school with 1,000 children. In my a been no drinking by children. The y access to the toddy booths for boys. avern system. Boys drink on special
cinema shows.

Page 31
TREE TAX SYS
Rural Courts, Chank
Mr. V. Veerasingham, M. P. for Vad
The Tree Tax System and Taverr tavern system is worse than the t prohibition at any time as it is not the drink habit as far as possible. Ea are. So that it is quife easy to call á and consumers. If any of them do r will not be issued licences. I suggest what they want and see that the dr system where Government will not l not increase. Let all those interested trol the tavern. Consumers also will j pledge to control the drinking habi licence to sell toddy. Government m trolled. The Government must get at If you find enough consumers in a p as possible taverns must be away í that is in a suitable site.
Q. “How can you find out in wil consumers ?'
A. "Get the names from the tapp are.'
Q. “If two or more sets of people choose between them 2'
A. "If there are enough consumers one tavern.' I should also like tempt workers in the committee. If the pri this Committee they can meet the ne will work well if licences are given exploit the situation for their bene advocate will serve both who wish those who would like to drink a li that the necessary regulations are il for prohibition of liquor. I want a r Selected as manager of each Society. toddy to houses of consumers, if thi for it. My suggestion in a way amo Every consumer like an opium eat toddy in that society. Q. “Do you n a small fortune?' A. “The society r You may have first class organizati organizations must become corrupt. one co-operative store, which is bei co-operative socities in each village. ' only. They are quite willing to enga if they are so employed and suitably tapper who himself admitted to me t I do not know what the history of waiting for tappers in other fields, but would be too high. The majority of tal other work later on. I am not awal tapper says he makes as much as Rs. be employing other tappers. A first c a local tapper can only tap about 30 tr. about 5 trees on an average. In certa tapped. Adulteration of toddy is tak

TEM IN JAFFNA 31.
anai-April 25, 1954
duikoddai .
System are both bad. I think the ree tax system. I am not for total possible. My suggestion is to control ach tapper knows who his customers a conference of tree owners, tappers not turn up for the conference they that they all join together and say ink habit does not grow. I prefer a Ose revenue and the drink habit will parties voluntarily undertake to conoin in the contract. They must give a t. If they fail they would lose the ust see that the drink habit is conthe people and work through them. lace a tavern can be opened. As far from temples, schools, churches &c.,
hat locality there will be sufficient
ers. They know who the consumers
apply for one tavern, how will you
; give 2 taverns-one each instead of arance workers and total prohibition oduction and sale of toddy is left to aeds of the locality. I do not think it to individuals, as individuals tend to sfit unlike a society. The society I to drink at the tavern as well as ittle toddy in their homes provided mposed to control all this. I am not nan of standing and character to be He can send sealed bottles of fresh s is possible, and there is a demand unts to licensing the consumer also. er has to get a licence to consume ot think that the manager will make must be able to control the manager.” ons, but if you have bad men such In every village there is at least ng run well. There may be 2 or 3 Tappers are not anxious to tap toddy ge in agricultural and other pursuits remunerated. There was an elderly hat toddy is the curse of our people. this man is. There is employment t the price the tappers would demand ppers tap in the morning and do some e how much a tapper earns. If the 500 to Rs. 1,000 a month then he must lass Indian tapper who is better than ees a day. In my opinion a tapper taps in other places many more trees are ing place. People go from one place

Page 32
32 CEYLON SESSION
to another because adulteration is t owner even if they are not tapped. T Rs. 10 and Rs. 15, and Rs. 5 for a palm make as much from his nuts as by leas however, some trees which begin to tapped. A plucker now demands one coconuts. After deducting plucker's
year will come to Rs. 7. It is true unde and children have taken to drinks. because they will be seen on the was the cause of minor crime and minor cri effect of a number of minor inconve meditated attempt at a serious crime will hear so many complaints of dru
Mr. S. Saravanamuttu, representing 1
The tavern system is better than t have opportunities for consuming tod consume toddy. Those who would not opportunity of drinking in palmyrah the tree tax system subsequently qu have seen 10 such quarrels a month. out of such quarrels. I know one ol crimes have increased. A tapper taps. to Rs. 20 a day. He cannot earn this about Rs. 5 a day out of agriculture. TI tries for the employment of tappers : be started later on. In the olden days gery, but now because of toddy tappi to buy a small quantity of jaggery a could be bought for 5 to 50 cents. about a lb.
Mr. K. Subramaniam, Malayan Pension
There is some truth in the fact t responsible for spreading of the dri Malayan Pensioner and we were use Pay Master in the Malayan Police. I The tree tax system is a very bad thi the Jaffna College boys in the degree according to Police figures drinking m but every day there are many compl every where which do not reach the drink in Malaya very heavily... I sto advocate non-drinking. An ordinary spend half of it on drinks, thereby lea for himself and his family. A labou a day. This drinking results in und his family and poor living conditions. In my opinion it is practical. There those difficulties can be overcome. I happened in America after prohibitio tion will find employment other thal so much as they get by tapping. Th lot of bribery and corruption. I admitt but I have no experience outside Ja jaggery by Co-operative Societies. I

AL PAPERS, 1954
aking place. Coconut trees pay the Le rent for a coconut tree is between yrah tree. A coconut tree owner can ing the tree to the tapper. There are,
produce more nuts when they are ut per tree as his wage for plucking wages a coconut tree's yield for a r the tree tax system a lot of women
People avoid going to the tavern 7. Serious crimes in my opinion are mes are due to drink. The cumulative hiences is for a man to make a pre, If you go along the road now you nkenness.
he V. C. Chairman, Pandaterippu
he tree tax system. Young children dy. Also opportunities for women to have gone to the tavern, now have the groves. Those who drink toddy under arrel. I have seen such quarrels. I I have seen serious crimes arising two such cases this year. Smaller about 25 trees. He earns about Rs. 15. amount by agriculture. He can earn here are no factories or other indusat present, but such industries could there was a plentiful supply of jaging jaggery is scarce. I may be able t a very high price. A small packet What they sell for 50 cents weighs
Ler and Chairman, V. C., Vaddukoddai
hat Malayan pensioners have been nk habit in Jaffna. I myself am a d to liquor in Malaya. I retired as have been here for the last 3 years. ng Women and children drink. Most as class drink toddy. It may be that lay not be reported to a great extent aints of minor cases of drunkenness police and their records. I used to pped 34 years ago and would now labourer earns Rs. 2 a day. He will ving no money for domestic expenses rer drinks about 4 bottles of toddy er-nourishment of the labourer and I would advocate total prohibition. may be difficulties at the start but do not visualise civil war here as n. Every tapper even under prohibin tapping though they may not get e tree tax system has brought on a here is bribery in every department; ffna. I advocate the manufacture of think there will be a demand for

Page 33
TREE TAX SY
the produce ofsuch a large quanti be found elsewhere. I would prefe) Relatively, toddy may not be as ba toddy is bad. I have personally inqu India over here and they say they to have some toddy. For every tree dozen trees tapped without marking patrols are done and when the Ex again on unmarked trees. There is a tree tax licence for the signature department marks trees without v. complained to the Excise Officers at me to the Government Agent. In my absentee land owners. Tappers tap t permission. There is a temple land permission of the temple authorities to me. I spoke to the Excise Inspec who told me that he was powerless the tree tax system toddy can be obt I have seen sale of toddy after dar but V. C. members have reported su cannot be enforced at once I would 3 years.
Mr. S. Kadirgamathamby, Chairman
I think the tree tax system is ba are sales after hours. I have seen w in sheds and women in houses. I h can show such sales even now. I can I think the tavern system is much in favour of total prohibition. I am a consumer of toddy. I do not person is adulterated. I am aware of seriou: of 3 or 4 cases in last year. Tappers ( ture. I should say they earn 50 per c if jaggery is manufactured instead O be sold. I think it is possible to co trees. It could be sold if sugar and
purity of the toddy and general sani under the tree tax system. It is true Under the present system one tappe and runs a miniature tavern. The er Wage Ordinance nor are the sales ac lies' do not pay income tax. It may are independent. I would suggest th ries established in 1915. This will ha suggest the manufacture of arrack o
Mr. S. Karthigesu, Secretary, Co-op.
I am a Malayan pensioner. I have According to me the tree tax syste impossible, I would prefer the tave I have given up drinks. I used to drin Officers have the support of the le could be made a success. My own l freely in consequence they won't l

:TEM IN JAFFNA 33
y of jaggery and markets may also
prohibition being enforced by law. as whisky and brandy but I think ired from drummers who come from nave come here from Madras mainly marked for tapping there are half a ... When complaints are made massed cise Officers go away tapping starts a column in the application form for of the owner of the tree. The Excise trifying such signatures. I went and Chankanai and Jaffna. They referred i village most of the land owners are rees on such lands without anybody's where trees were tapped without the
The priest of the temple complained tor at Chankanai (Mr. Rajasingham) Once the trees were numbered. Under ained at any time of the day or night. K. I have not seen school boys drink, h instances to me. If total prohibition like to have the taverns system for
, T. C., Manipay
d. Women and children drink. There omen and children drink. Boys drink ave seen sale of toddy after hours. I also show children drinking in sheds. petter than the tree tax system. I am a Government contractor. I am not hally know, but people say that toddy s crime resulting from drinks. I know 2arn more by tapping than by agriculent. or even more by tapping. I think f selling toddy all Such jaggery could nsume jaggery produced from 90,000 Indian jaggery are not imported. The tary requirements are not guaranteed that toddy is left uncovered in pots. r employs a number of Small tappers mployees are not controlled ur, der the counted for. As such. toddy "mudalape true that 90 per cent. of the tappers re-establishment of the sugar refinelve to be done by Government. I also ut of palmyrah toddy.
Hospital Society Ltd., Moolai
een here after retirement for 20 years. m is very bad. If total prohibition is in system. For the last 10 or 12 years k when I was in Malaya. If the Excise ading men of the village, prohibition ith and kin (young men) take toddy sten to me. There is no harmony at

Page 34
34 CEYLON SESSIO
home. It is true that toddy is sold can go to a tapper's house at any tim not seen young boys drink at night, to drinking there was a case of kni The matter is pending and a case w due course.
Mr. S. Vaithilingam, Secretary, Mal
I find the tree tax system very usef of the consumers take it for its good ) for its alcoholic content. We drink it tree tax system. It is taken in a civi There is no gregarious drinking as i toddy booths in rural areas. It may not admit convicts or drunkards or tapper knows who such people are, saying “I have no stock to sell.' I d to a tapper's home to drink toddy I myself go to a tapper's house every is that sales do not go on after 8 p.m correspondent for Vaddukoddai. The and children drinking. They may do them. We give toddy to women and never seen women drunk on the roac in court. These stories are circulated during the war and they bought thei being educated, and tappers are dre service for the Wellalas. This indepen by the Wellalas. Tappers contested V are members of my W. C. They have a I was a Station Master in Malaya. I to Malaya. Again in 1952 I came back Officer to the Chief Air Raid Ward Labour Superintendent at Kankesan wide experience of the living conditio privileged. I had supplied toddy to th during the war. They liked toddy in up under the tree tax system and an serious problems may arise. I expose recently as newspaper corresponden tree foot sale; but in practice since it of the tappers and not under the tre toddy is illegal. There can be no tapp in practice the tapper experiments bered. This is done with the conniva offences are daily committed so that men, who have the power to prosect bribes of Rs. 7.50, and Re. 1 for every t personnel. In Chankanai Excise Sta A book of such accounts is kept at til according to the importance of each informed, is in the hands of the Excis by me is pending. Two years ago I su Commissioner (Mr. Moore). This wa from Malaya. I sent the memoran Rs. 30,000 a month was being paid f the Excise Officers. The Excise Com absence of specific cases he could not

AL PAPERS, 1954
ut any time of the day or night. You 2 of the day or night and drink. I have because I don't get out at night. Due ing at Koddaiyavathai in Tholpuram. ill be filed in the Mallakam Court in
la Gnana Saba, Tolpuram
ul. The virtues are I think 90 per cent. nutritional value and only 10 per cent. a very good environment under the lised way with no restriction of time. in the tavern. There are no so called be so in urban areas. The tapper does loiterers to his drinking garden. The and can keep them out by tactfully o not see any harm in Vellalas going provided the conditions are sanitary. day and drink toddy. My experience . I am a pensioner and a Daily News are may be isolated cases of women so in their homes-I mean some of children for health reasons. I have l; nor has any woman being charged because tappers made a lot of money ir own lands; their children are now essed well. They no more do feudal idence of the tappers is being resented 7. C. elections and in fact 3 of them also contested for seats in Parliament. came to Ceylon in 1938 and returned k to Ceylon. From 1942-43 I was Staff en in Tringomalee. I was also Civil turai. In these capacities I had very ns of the labour classes and the under e European troops stationed in Jaffna this climate. The tappers have come 'e coming up. If they are suppressed 2d an Excise "racket' at Chankanai t. The tree tax system provides for Sinception toddy is sold at the homes es. In consequence transport of such ing before the marking of trees; but with the tree before getting it numince of the Excise Officers. These two the police and excise and the headute for such offences accept monthly ree marked. This is paid to the Excise ion this is done by all the officers. his station and the spoils are divided officer. Such an account book, I am e Commissioner. An inquiry initiated omitted a memorandum to the Excise s in 1952 January, when I returned lum under my own signature that rom Valikamam West area alone, to missioner replied to me that in the act on my petition. It is unfortunate

Page 35
TREE TAX SY
that the officer who was responsib. system is the head of the Excise suggestion to stop bribery is to mak tapping of palmyrahs as in the case C landlords the lawful attorney or cal is no attorney or caretaker the spat
Toddy tapping in Jaffna must be not a full time job in the rural are short the type of miniature tavern, of trees that can be tapped, in my o he will have very little toddy left, a to 3 or 4 customers. It is impossible even with the restricted number of take this toddy to their homes whi it for them, while they do some othe increase in the tax. My figure is a 2:
The Excise Department should in signed by the tree owner or by thi responsibility to see that this is don there are approved writers in the c. ment, also there should be approved a Government contractor supplying I was supplying 250 gallons of toddy There a large quantity of toddy is so people go to the tapping garden for tavern system is introduced here il take place not in taverns but in the ta ment gets the contractor to pay a fine short fall in the toddy supplied acco to get over this difficulty pays the a
keeper and asks him to account fol tavern. He himself tries to make up price at the tapping garden. I had 23 and found that I had no sugar. This
Another evil of the tavern system I had to come away from Malaya because bandits were drinking todd supply. I am in favour of total proh one of my meals a day. I may suff children will improve. The arrack October, 1953, as a result of a local op in-local option are the illicit sellers. T Vellalas worked for the success of th sale of arrack in Chankanai Parish arrack tavern. Ganja is a totally prol easily and I can get some ganja in that the school children are smokinggoing to the sheds to drink toddy. I at places like Keerimalai. Toddy is at night. The weather should be warn they tried prohibition and 1,400 illici alone. I am in favour of prohibition (
There is a problem of adult youth many of them were absorbed into se cannot go to these places.
Regulations should permit the tap menting, after sending the applicatio substitution may be allowed if the t

STEM IN JAFFNA 35
e from the inception of the tree tax Department in Jaffna at present. My 2 the tree owner responsible for illicit f coconut trees. In the case of absentee etaker should be responsible. If there nes can be cut.
in the form of a cottage industry and as. With that end in view and to cut I suggest that the maximum number pinion, be limited to 10. In which case ter personal consumption and the sale for sale to take place at the tree foot trees and they should be allowed to re somebody in the house could sell r work after tapping. I suggest a little i per cent. increase all round.
nsist that the appropriate column be legal attorney and it must be their e in the case of every application. As ase of Customs, in the Excise Departwriters of tree tax applications. I was
toddy to taverns in Malaya in 1951. a day to two taverns in Kuala Lumpur. ld in the tapping area. The respectable their drink. I therefore say that if the legal sales to respectable people will apping gardens. In Malaya the Govern2 per gallon at the selling price for any brding to the contract. The contractor mount of the short fall to the tavernthe full supply of the toddy at the
for it by selling illicitly at twice the per cent. sugar. I was tested recently is due to my drinking toddy regularly.
is that there is a lot of adulteration. giving up the toddy supply contract y in the gardens where I bought my ibition, though I depend on toddy for ær on account of prohibition, but my
tavern at Chankanai was closed in tion poll. Most of the people interested he prospective illicit sellers and a few e local option poll. Now there is illicit . The arrack is brought from Jaffna hibited article but you can get it quite 15 minutes if you want it. It is ganja -not toddy. I have never seen children have seen children drinking on picnics not a drink that can be readily taken to take toddy. In Burma and Rangoon t shops were opened in Rangoon town inly if it can be enforced.
in Jaffna now, because before the war rvice in Malaya, Burma, &c. Now they
ber to tap trees for 14 days for experin for it, and before it is marked ; and . ee fails to yield.

Page 36
36 CEYLON SESSION
Mr. A. Sinnadurai, 53, Secretary Co-o
I am a Malayan pensioner. In 1952 assistant in Malaya. The tree tax syst tions are not good. People who drink and vomiting after drinking. Some pe I say it is bad for the nervous syst Sanitation under the tavern system is tion. I have seen many children diri years or over that age. I have not se 6 sons, 5 of them are over 16. I have drinking. I questioned him but he drunk.
Mr. S. Navaratnam, Vice-Chairman,
I am a teacher at Manipay Hindu C the house yesterday by me (that is th and the Village Committee endorsed cept the last paragraph which refers Societies. I am a teacher for more th who has lived before the prohibition notice that there has been a great ch about 30 years ago did not take very drink and does not minimise it. Und drinking was localised. 30 years ag. jaggery. Now they do not know hov hours of sale can be controlled. Dilut There is a local belief that toddy is those with incipient T.B. patronise t cups are not properly washed, as ther the incidence of T.B. is spread in Jafi As regards medicinal properties of to it is kept would, in my opinion, be inj set aside for tapping sweet toddy and our area we don't get money for pall have seen people drunk even at 10 or ago at 10.30 I was disturbed from my road. I have heard from school boy school intervals. I have seen boys mys I have also heard of picnic parties of have nothing to say about boys of Ma: there have been no such complaints tion of the lower classes and for thei it is practical to enforce prohibition.
Mr. V. Sethukavalar
I am at present Secretary of Nort are against tree tax, because there and people drink at all hours. Even off under the tree tax system. They s making jaggery out of Sweet toddy, orderly on the road. Even 2 or 3 days resulting in injuries with knives &c. of prohibition: if this cannot be done as there is a function in the village price of toddy is put up and there is a

AL PAPERS, 1954
p. Credit Society, Chulipuram
I returned to Ceylon. I was a hospital em is bad because its sanitary condiare disorderly and some get diarrhoea 2Ople say toddy is good for health but em. The tavern system is also bad. bad. I am in favour of total prohibinking in booths. They are about 16 een this being done regularly. I have
heard that one of my sons had been denied this. I have not seen women
V. C., Manipay
‘ollege. The memorandum was put to he reply submitted by the Chairman) every part of the memorandum exto the running of taverns by Co-op. an 30 years. As a teacher and as one period in Jaffna and up till now, E ange in society. The respectable class much to drink. Tree tax popularises er the old tavern system the evil of o people knew how to manufacture w to do it. Under the tavern system ion can be controlled and supervised. good for T.B. and it can well be that he local boòths where the “plas” or e is no water provided, and therefore ina as a result of the tree tax system. ddy, the way it is tapped and the way urious to health. Certain areas can be certain areas for fermented toddy. In myrah trees. I, live by the road and I 11 o'clock in the night. A few nights sleep by some people abusing on the ’s that they drink toddy during the elf drinking toddy during these times. boys drinking toddy at Keerimalai, I nipay Hindu College drinking toddyin our college. I am for the ameliorar economic upliftment. I do not think
h Ceylon Co-op. Tourist Society. We are booths everywhere and children. women drink. The tappers are better hould be able to earn equal wages by . I have seen people drunk and disago there was a big quarrel at Moolai This was due to liquor. I am in favour 2, I favour the tavern system. As soon such as a wedding, funeral, &c., the lso adulteration of toddy.

Page 37
TREE TAX SYS
Mr. M. Nadesu, President, Walikama
We prefer the tree tax system. We I myself tap trees. From January to to September, I earn Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 to Rs. 2 a day. October to Novembe Rs. 5: that is by tapping 15 male tree All the trees are not tapped togeth experience of the tavern system. I am to tapping. I cultivate beetle, cassav that toddy is available at all hours of who are already drunk may call aft toddy after 7 or 8 p.m. It is not true t the toddy under the shade and cover we keep the toddy inside our houses. cinema show for drinks. If children c. their parents. Therefore out of fear jaggery. If everybody makes jagger sufficient income to pay income tax tension. There is caste jealousy we our children are dressed better, and 1 people. We are now more civilized. for other cultivation. During the war for the people.
Mr. S. R. Jacob-On behalf of the Se
Weavers' Society
Our Society is very much in favou So in our memorandum which has I have received no further instructio have already stated in their memoral
Mr. Murugesu, Assistant Commissio
It is not possible to verify the sig application forms, because about 70 C a year. This question was discussed and Excise Officers sometime ago a practicable to verify whether an owl departmental instructions are that th putes over the ownership of land be The marking of a tree only gives the the Excise Ordinance-the owner d his civil or other remedy.
10 a.m.
Mr. R. Kanagasunderam, Mandaitivu
Society, Secretary, of Mandaitivu
Our Society is two years old and Tree Tax system bad. About 2 mont Road, Jaffna, the rickshaw wallahs t they are deprived of their toddy. I pe 3 school boys coming out of the she The three boys were about 17 years

STEM IN JAFFNA 37
m West Tappers' Union
are not in favour of total prohibition. April, I earn Rs. 4 a day. From June a day. In December the earning goes r the income goes down to Rs. 4 or s, 10 female trees and 10 coconut trees. er but during the season. I have no 43. I do agricultural work in addition a, &c., in my own land. It is not true the day and night. Sometimes people 2r 7 or 8 p.m. Therefore we don't sell hat toddy is kept in the open. We keep the pots with “pannadai'. Sometimes It is not true that boys come after the Ome and ask for drinks we will inform they do not come. I have never made y there won't be a sale. We don't get K. All the commotion is due to caste have much more money, dress better, ive better. Before that we were a wild There are no rivers or opportunities m days toddy provides a cooling drink
cretary of the Thalovathy Co-op. Coir
r of the tree tax system. We have said already been sent to the Commission. ns from the Society besides what they ndum to you.
ner of Excise, Jaffna (recalled)
nature of land owners on the tree tax r 80,000 such applications are received at a conference of the G.A., D.R.O.O., and all were agreed that it was not her had signed it. It is correct that the e department will not interfere in discause we are not competent to do so. licensee a right to tap the tree under pes not thereby lose his right to seek
Kayts Community Centre, April 26, 1954.
Allaipiddy Palmyrah Products Co-op.
consists of 51 members. We find the ths ago when I was going along Stanley old me that because of the school boys 'eped into these toddy sheds, and I saw lds, this was at 9 a.m. on a Saturday.
old. The next day a Sunday about 15

Page 38
38 CEYLON SESSION
boys came from Jaffna on bicycles toddy. There was no sweet toddy ; th drank the whole stock and left; this shed was 29 bottles. They were ash their return and went through by-ro enquired from my school boys and (i.e., out of a total roll of 110) drink old. My school is the Parasathi Vidy children start drinking with parental this I have seen some husbands tak have seen about 40 people in my villa on the roads. This is common betwe know they are drunk from the place mouths and their talk. They are di will, in my opinion, make a man dr thrown away but is mixed with oth the way to school there are sheds w the school going children owing to
Excise about one such shed and the se shed was removed elsewhere. The n shed over 4 X 4. As a result of tod two factions, firearms were used b injuries were caused by blows, and t two years ago. Thefts of goats take these cases have not gone to Court. for fermented toddy one tree should Tax system should be stopped and th after local option. In my memorand Tax system be continued with necess are : —Tapping of Sweet toddy on a tre toddy. This will prevent financial lo implication. I admit that a tapper wi sweet toddy than from fermented tod making and found there is no differe fermented toddy. There is greater p) children and jaggery than in selling to be made more strict. There is ill tapped there are ten unlicensed trees at this and outside officers should be division there should be at least 5
Unofficial Excise Officers at present b Excise Officers should report to the 'flying Corps' should be sent to de Officers need not have to attend Coul of illicit tapping and the Excise Offic spadices. This must have saved about plenty of sweet toddy available w
fermented toddy.
Mr. S. Sivagnanam, Divisional Reven
I have been here two and a half harmful. I advocate a modified tave School boys go to drink when they picnics, not regularly. Women do not at home. I have divided consumers classes, and (b) the lower middle cla by the tavern system as they will drin

AL PAPERS, 1954
O my village and enquired for sweet by went to a fermented toddy boothwas at about 11 a.m., the stock in that amed to go along the main road on ads. Because I am a school teacher I I was told one third of the children
The youngest pupil is about 5 years asalai at Allappiddy. Originally these consent, later independently. Besides ng toddy to their wives regularly. I ge doing so. I have seen people drunk en 9 and 11 a.m. and 6 and 8 p.m. I where they come, the smell in their ;orderly. About two bottles of toddy unk. The previous day’s toddy is not 2r toddy and given to consumers. On there toddy is sold and this disturbs drunken adults. I complained to the eller was prosecuted and fined and the lan was fined for keeping toddy in a dy drinking a quarrel arose between ut no one was injured by this but he parties were sent to jail. This was
place owing to toddy drinking but I suggest that for every tree tapped be tapped for sweet toddy. The Tree e tavern system should be introduced lum I have advocated that the Tree sary amendments. These amendments 2e for every tree tapped for fermented ss to tappers. I have calculated this ill earn three or four times less from dy. I have experimented with jaggery ince in profit from this or sale of the cofit in selling sweet toddy to school fermented toddy. The rules have got icit tapping. For every licensed tree
tapped. The local Inspector connives
sent to detect this. In every D.R.O's Unofficial Excise Officers. There are out they do no work. These Unofficial
Excise Commissioner and then the tect this, then the Unofficial Excise t. About 10 times I gave information ers came in strength and cut off the
Rs. 10,000 to Government. If there is men and children will prefer it to
Le Officer, Islands
years. I say that the tree system is in system. I am not for prohibition. are together on occasions such as go to the sheds to drink. They drink
into (a) the present and working sses. The former will not be affected k in taverns; the lower middle classes

Page 39
TREE TAX SY
will be affected as they would not l so sanitary as the present sheds und the lower middle class they are abl and cleaned and that they are servec middle classes therefore to meet the a saloon bar will have to be provid like to drink toddy there is no dece not mind paying a little more for t should have as important a say as re; Officers now have. I think under should be inserted empowering the one tree for any reliable person who tion only. If the tree tax system is t toddy tapping should only be permi ping but not anywhere near one to The Preventive Staff should be empt pots are hanging between sunrise permits in rural areas should be en how a tapper who taps in more til of his toddy. I shall, if I think of a At present no tappers are paid wor dents. I suggest that those areas su taken over by the Excise. I have four areas by the Excise puts up the rever man to do so as he is a man of the pla &c., are in my memorandum. I sugge from pollution during the tapping a
Mr. George Manuelpillai of Karanpa
I am a school master. I do not fin definitely better than the tavern sys working gets better and cheaper tod close to his place of work. There is less drunkenness. You do not now fi the tavern system. It may be they For the Islands Division there were and 8 in 1953. The economic conditic A paid tapper gets Rs. 4 to Rs. 6 pe tapper but they do have enough leis During the off season they may do pers are very few here. They tap fo) tural workers here is Rs. 3.50 per da arrack here. There was a tavern he of illicit booths instead of the tavern, here at Re. 1 per half bottle more tha I would not say that there is a lot think the picnic party yesterday re of teachers not boys. The Governmel this is not possible. Toddy should be a or any convenient compound as, fir in their compounds, secondly as the ping and selling he has to finish his t. equal demand at all hours of the day I agree that trees should be licensed check illicit tapping and Excise Of where trees are being tapped. I wou areas as the Departmental Order is c opinion, too rigid. The regulation

STEM IN JAFFNA 39.
ke to do so and also taverns are not Sr the tree tax system. In the case of to see that the utensils are washed in sanitary conditions. For the lower ir needs a special kind of tavern like ed. In Jaffna town, for example, if I nt place to go to. Such people would is privilege. The sanitary authorities gards sanitation over taverns as Excise the new tavern conditions a clause Superintendent of Excise to license applies for it for personal consumpo continue it is important that sweet tted on a licence. There is illicit tapten-it is more probably one to one. wered to enter any compound where and sunset. The issue of transport tirely prohibited. I have not thought han one compound can then dispose solution, write in to the Committee. kmen's compensation in case of accipervised by the Headmen should be ld that even one massed patrol of such lue. It is difficult for the Willage Headce. My other suggestion regarding tax, st protection of the Spadices and pot nd drawing of toddy. -
un, Kayts
d the Tree Tax system harmful. It is stem. Under the Tree Tax system the dy than under the tavern system and more toddy being drunk but there is nd drinkers hors de combat as under lie down under the palmyrah groves. only 14 cases of drunkenness in 1952, 1ns of tappers is definitely better now r day in my area. This is a full time ure to do a little fishing, for example. agriculture as well. Independent tap- “mudalalies.' The wage of agriculy with a morning meal. People drink e last year, now there are a number since it was closed. Arrack is now sold in the tavern rate at Jaffna at present. drinking by women and children. I ferred by the D. R. O., was a party ht should not insist on tree foot sales, llowed for removal to tappers' houses st, many tree owners object to sales independent tapper does his own tapapping before he sells. There is not an the demand is at noon and sundown. for sweet toddy in tree tax areas to icers should have access to gardens ld also like the removal of prescribed ut of date and even originally, in my refers to roads to be prescribed as

Page 40
40 CEYLON SESSION
“P.W.D. roads' now all roads are issued to a few tappers where the tre that should be stopped. This discrim tion, should be stopped. Today such is transported many times a day on th times one sees transport on such pe commenced
Mr. K. Ratnarajah, Treasurer, Palmy.
There should be tree tax in Delft. ( scarcity in Delft where water is go Island. 1/4 of the population in Del Delft to tap for sweet toddy. They : I went to Mannar and saw a tave bottles for sale but as his rent was terated toddy. I do not know how tl System tree owners can lease their t and Rs. 4 to Rs. 5 per palmyrah tree fetch under a tavern system. Rente trees for Rs. 200 to Rs. 300. In Jaffn; Delft a tree will yield only half a bo people in Delft drink. If there is a t and there will be trouble. Now tappi. talking only of Delft. In a tavern the Tree Tax system the customer g
Mr. A. Thiruneelaikandan, President Kailasapillai, Member, Mr. K. Selv rajah, Member, and 13 other memb
There are about 25 members at the being after the newspaper announcen Committee. We are in favour of tot system bad. It has phenomenally in a sober people once. We find some p. before but that is not the point, it is t no concrete examples but our infer drink. Women and children too drir Tree Tax system. Our chief argumen of the labourers' wages is spent on 275 such 'cases inquiring from the &c. My estimate is they earn Rs. 2.5 on drink. By drink here I mean todd much more. Therefore facilities for abolition cannot be done in a day. I enough other work in the village. Su remunerative. Such work will be foi tion wells were sunk in the Islands I want of labourer. There is more illic: system than there would be under p Government are only reported crime crime of all kinds. Perhaps our men of prohibition were influenced by ve
On the question of drink I am ur suggest that total prohibition be en against the will of the people. The de

AL PAPERS, 1954
P.W.D. roads! Transport permits are e owner objects to sale in his garden; nation, which gives room for corruppermits are also abused and toddy e same permit, and all day long. Somermits even before toddy tapping has
rah Products Society, Delft
Dut of the Islands there is most water od only on the Western side of the ft are tappers. It is not a custom in are not used to Sweet toddy tapping. rn there. There the renter gets 200 high he had to resort to sale of adulnis is done. Because of the Tree Tax rees at Rs. 15 to 20 for coconut trees . I do not know how much they will rs would lease a land of 50 or 100 a a tree may yield 3 bottles a day in ottle a day. About 90 per cent. of the avern they will all congregate there ng and drinking is widespread. I am
one has to pay ready cash. Under ets credit.
, Prohibitiqn League, Velanai, Mr. K. vadurai, Secretary, and Mr. M. Sivaers present
: moment. This society only came into hent of the appointment of the Special all prohibition. We find the Tree Tax creased the drinking habit. We were eople drunk in public now more than he spread of the drink habit. We have ence is that crime is associated with nk. This has been encouraged by the t against Tree Tax is that 50 per cent. drink. I (the President) have studied
labourer, his wife, friends, children, 0 per day and spend Re. 1.25 per day y only. Those who drink arrack spend drink should be stopped. Complete f tappers stop tapping they will have ch work will be equally or even more und in agriculture. 1,000 food producDivision but very few are working for it tapping under the present Tree Tax rohibition. The statistics provided by , there is a vast amount of undetected nbers who recommended the removal sted interests.
hable to trust the people to decide. I forced by administrative action even mand for toddy is not due to increased

Page 41
TREE TAX SYS
employment. In the old toddy tavern per day, now there are 100 booths w a day. I now submit a further memora the others on practical grounds and as a gradual approach to total proh the people from drink by propagand right of democracy from the people. issue properly. The Tree Tax system I asked a confirmed drunkard he sa People should be gradually made to facture of jaggery encouraged. Licen reintroduced.
Mr. K. Ramalingam of Velanai, Culti
I am against Tree Tax. We are una are out owing to illicit fermented tod palms is ruined. There is competition petrol is poured on trees and they a Even if there are taverns there shot better as they will be isolated.
Mr. T. Manicavasagar, Acting Chair
I live at Tellippalai. I am here sinc The Tree tax system is bad. It increa it increases crime. I have seen many dred people drunk in Tellippalai, wh cing areas. The drunkards were disor every house of the tapper is a taver Soon as he gets off from the well sw 2.30 or 3.00 p.m. They drink at every to 15 people in company. They sta blows. A farmer takes a knife (sath booths. Ultimately it ends in bloodshe of March and July no premeditated Elalai which borders Tellippalai in especially during the toddy seas taken place at Elalai during the mont these cases go to Court. I am against tavern system in its place. In our al fresh toddy. In other areas even in t It is adulterated with stale toddy. T fresh, but that tapped by the “Nallav stale toddy from the day before. All Between July and December the tap he taps illicitly he can make Rupees 3 were cut in one month by the Excis area. For every tree taxed, 15 untaxe 18 trees tapped illicitly by one Kana] spathes were cut.
There are frequent sales to women to the tappers' houses or get down to

STEM IN JAFFNA 41
s the sales were less than 200 gallons hich between them sell 4,000 gallons andum. (Mr. Kailasapillai differs from favours the re-introduction of taverns ibition and to gradually ween away a). We must not (he say) snatch the They must be educated to decide this has completely disrupted the family. id “take the curse of drink away'.
take to sweet toddy and the manuces for Sweet toddy tapping must be
vator, presents a petition
ble to tap for sweet toddy as spadices dy tapping and our produce from such n for trees and if trees are not leased re killed. I know 10 or 12 such cases. uld be Tree Tax system. Taverns are
Kankesanturai Resthouse, - - April 27, 1954.
man, V. C., Tellippalai
!e 1942. Before that I was in Colombo. ses the number of people who drink ; people drunk. Daily I see 5 to 6 hunich is one of the biggest toddy produderly. There are booths everywheren. Usually the farmer in our area, as reep goes to the booth and drinks till 7 hour. In the booths you will find 10 Art discussing and ultimately end in kam) with him when he goes to the :d. As far as I know during the months
murder takes place in Jaffna. From o premeditated murders take place on. Unpremeditated murders have h. Last year there were 4 murders. All the Tree Tax system. I would like the rea, at the 8th mile post, we may get he morning we can't get fresh toddy. 'oddy tapped by the “Pallas' is sold as '' is always adulterated. It is always our tappers are tappers and farmers. oper can make 100 rupees monthly. If :00 a month. About 500 spathes of trees e Department in the Tellippalai V. C. trees are tapped. In one garden alone pathy Kiddan were detected and their
and children. They go to the sheds or ddy to their homes. No Wellala woman

Page 42
42 CEYLON SESSION
goes to the tappers' houses. It is the w booths to drink. Boys of “Pallao al caste boy drinks. In our area owners ample, I don't get anything for the tree payment tappers will refuse to cut “o all land owners get Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 per tapped in our area. From August to Scarce, but in a few areas it is availa cents a bottle.
Mr. P. M. John, M.M.C., Jaffna
I live at Karaiyur. The Tree Tax sy restriction of place, time, price or qua day and night. During 1951 at the workers obtained toddy at 11 p.m. I wa ing early in the morning were able to fisherman want toddy. They should be congested place like Karaiyur toddy i. toddy is sold in a number of booths. 4 a.m. and return at 4 or 5 p.m. In 1951 to the fishermen. There was a comml result a sub-Police station has been males and females were shot by the t have no guns. There was a case of ars result of a brawl at a toddy booth. I : There might have been trouble duri) same extent as it is today. When th start a quarrel that at a tavern where Under the tavern system the number booths are so very insanitary. Today t tary, and the toddy booths are very in booth owners and had them fined, but as before. The people going to the toc water for washing vessels from which tion be laid down that if the sheds ar be cancelled. I am in favour of the tav offered facilities for women and school teacher at St. John Bosco's School f during the interval crossing the road regular thing. We punish them. The m to the toddy booths. This is not a regis send the boys out. I am in favour of of prohibition. Prohibition is bad k have toddy. If this is not given they w If the respectable people want to hav the morning the teachers don't take to may get down a bottle of toddy to dri our area who can take 'era ' during t sold for Re. 1 a bottle. The price shoul can have his drink. I want the maxi pepole are at the miniature taverns ti know what their wives and children cooking is done at night in their hom to take with them as food the next n food of the other man in the boat. I w fishermen there were 3 fishermen wi why they did not bring any food, the

AL PAPERS, 1954
omen selling vegetables that go to the nd “Nalava' people drink. No high of trees don't get any benefit. For exes that are being tapped. If we demand las' from our trees. For coconut trees. tree. Only very few coconut trees are December palmyrah toddy is very ble and the toddy is sold at 50 to 70
stem is very harmful. (i) There is no lity. Toddy is sold at all hours of the time of the Municipal elections my as told that fishermen who go out fishobtain toddy without difficulty. The given toddy during fixed times. In a s sold everywhere. At Kondody Road. The fishermen go out fishing at 3 or the tappers extended credit facilities unal riot over toddy in 1951 and as a established at Karaiyur. At this riot appers who had guns. The fishermen on where a house was set on fire as a am 45 and I know the tavern system. ng the tavern system but not to the ere are 3 or 4 people it is easier to there are 200 to 500 people at a time. of selling places will be limited. The he houses in Karaiyur are very sanisanitary. The M. O. H. prosecuted the the next day the sheds were as bad dy sheds spit all round. There is no toddy in consumed. I wish a condie not kept sanitary the licences will ern system. The Tree Tax system has children to drink. I was a temporary or overaged boys. I have seen boys
and going to drink toddy. This is a ore we warn them the more they run tered school and therefore we do not he tavern system. I have experience because the labouring classes must fill resort to all sorts of illicit means. 7e toddy, they get it down. Early in Iddy at all. After the day's work they nk. There are no Roman Catholics in he day. In December last toddy was d be moderate so that every labourer mum price to be fixed. Because our ll very late in the night, they do not are doing at home. Sometimes no es with the result they have nothing morning, and they have to share the rent fishing myself. In one boat of 30 thout any food. When I asked them y said they had not cooked food the

Page 43
’TREE TAX SY
previous night. They said they had b booths and forgot to give money for
down the price of fish also will come or palmyrah trees, but plenty of to system was only experimented with come across a palmyrah tree. There I am putting forward the Wishes of til consumer. We have learned that the the Tree Tax system there are amp people take advantage of it.
Mr. A. Eliyathamby of Punnalaikad
I am the President of the Co-opera the Rural Development Society. I am have arisen out of the Tree Tax syst road, and school boys and women go on special occasions. Between special also they drink. I have seen men stag actually not seen the men but I have the road. I also go out at night. I ha have palmyrah trees. I have given a Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 is paid for a female pall By tapping a female palmyrah tree ( taverns are established they can do c taverns. I am in favour of the tavern I would want the tavern system. I a
Mr. A. P. Thambiah, President of No
The Tree Tax system is the best til Sir Graeme Thomson was here I pre introduction of the Tree Tax system because of the conditions obtaining tappers' children who are now holdin habit will automatically go away. T if its consumption is going up. I have losing his head. This is the midday m rice they can have the palmyrah foo life. During prohibition drinking in J bottles of arrack were brought il Prohibition cannot work. Everybody Jaffna. Only the objection is to th miniature taverns. I can show nume is now being served in sanitary cond under the regime of Mr. J. S. Ni introduced. Toddy in a tapper's house I advocate that tappers should be al instead of selling at miniature tavern: to drink he will not allow them to r consumed. They go away and other there will be no congestion or gregar of customers coming to our places an Therefore people are not allowed to share. Here toddy is drunk for food. I selling toddy in sheds. I however insanitary. If sale of toddy is allowed be eliminated. Before a licence is issu

STEM IN JAFFNA 43
en spending their money in the toddy rooking. If the price of rice is brought own. In my area there are no coconut ldy is available there. The Tree Tax in the north. In the town you hardly
are large numbers of coconut trees. he fishermen of the area. I am a toddy" Tree Tax system is harmful. Under le facilities offered for drinking and
luwan
tive Stores Society, and President of also a retired Udaiyar. Lot of taverns em. The sheds are by the side of the to drink toddy in booths. They drink occasions also they drink. At funerals gering on the road after drinks. I have heard people abusing and going along ve seen sales taking place at night. I lot of my trees for tapping. A rent of myrah tree, and Rs. 2 for a male tree. one gets Re. 1 to Rs. 2 from a tree. If ther work and also tap toddy for the system. If prohibition is not feasible m not a consumer of toddy.
rth Ceylon Workmen's Union
hing under modern conditions. When sented a memorial and urged for the . This system was granted to Jaffna here. (Witness quotes 3 instances of g places of eminence). I say the drink 'oddy drinking is not harmful even
never seen a man who drinks toddy eal. If they don't have money to buy d instead. It helps to lead a happier affna was rampant. From Mankulam coffins with funeral processions. is agreed that toddy is necessary for e miniature taverns. I do not want rous houses of tappers where toddy itions without any complaint. It was cholas that miniature taverns were
will not become a miniature tavern. lowed to take toddy to their homes 3. When people go to a tapper's house emain in the house after the stuff is people will go in to drink. Therefore ious drinking. We know the number we manufacture toddy accordingly.
stay on and drink more than their is a medicine and tonic. I am against
do met know that the sheds are | in tappers' houses middle men will Led it is the duty of the Government

Page 44
44 CEYLON SESSION
Agent and the Excise Department to is a bona fide tapper who taps to earl else. We want the Government to
toddy business. An Excise Advisory ( village to inform the authorities wh Let the Headmen and D. R. O.O. als( witness was "How can applications mudalali applying for trees in their
be prevented ?”) We are opposed to Wellalas is to re-establish the taverr and put sand in the mouths of the ti The Karaiyur people are opposed t free toddy and do not get it from th two classes has been due to this. Al Tree Tax system. The people of Jaf prosperity of the tapper class. Duri was going on some cases were gifted themselves to enable them to show
will not disrupt home life if tappers a
Mr. K. Thambirajah, a tapper of An
If a tree is tapped for toddy withi the spathe is prepared within 4 day attached. If an application is given fo after at least 10 days. Q. “Why the tion earlier ?' A. 'We have got to m it is in a particular stage of develo A male palmyrah can be tapped onl 2 months. The most one can tap a m tree for 3 months. Therefore I reque cation and deposit, the money I sho is marked or not. Now the landlord We want the same conditions to app is done there will be no illicit tap) here.
Dr. G. Cooke
I have been here for 2 years aft drunkenness. I live at Keerinalai. I sheds I have not noticed any drunke. add that toddy is a good thing for w not poison. We doctors give alcohol Toddy as ordinarily drunk is very g day the most. This applies both to v but not every day. Toddy contains a for diabetis, but I cannot imagine tc of toddy that comes to me is not cle I have to strain it before it is take sheds are insanitary. I have not seen Toddy is good for growing children as it comes from the tree. Highly children. No toddy should be sold a sumers to go and have a meal. Th could be reopened again at 5 o'clock stale toddy is available for sale an 7 o’cloisk or so.

AL PAPERS, 1954
satisfy themselves that the applicant n his own living and not for anybody eliminate the middlemen from the committee can be established in each nich applicants are bona fide or not. o do this. (The question asked of the by dummies who are tappers for one names but virtually for the mudalali the tavern system. The motive of the system and close it by local option appers as they did in the olden days. o the tree tax because they demand e tappers. The trouble between these l the riots are then attributed to the fna are now jealous of the economic ng prohibition though illicit tapping
to the Excise Officers by the tappers that they were doing some work. It re allowed to sell in their own houses.
aikoddai, is produced by witness
n 4 days a pot should be attached. If S of the preparation a pot has to be ir such a tree the tree is only marked h should you not make your applicalake preparations of the spathe when pment and that cannot be put off'. y for 15 days and a female tree for ale tree is for 6 weeks, and a female est that as soon as I make my appliuld be allowed to tap the tree if it is liable for tapping of coconut trees. ly to palmyrah trees as well. If this ping. We don't want Indian tappers
er retirement. I haven't noticed any have never been to any of the toddy n man or children on the road. I may Tomen as well as for men. Alcohol is to patients. It depends on the dosage. good for the system-a bottle or 2 a. vomen and men. I take toddy myself lot of vitamin B1 which we prescribe ddy curing diabetis. Even the bottle an though I send my own bottle and n. It may be that conditions in the this. I pay 25 cents for a bottle now. also in proper quantities and as soon fermented toddy would be bad for after noon in taverns to enable conis happens in Australia. The tavern K provided only fresh toddy and not d the tavern can then be closed at

Page 45
TREE TAX SYS
Mr. C. Arulambalam, V. C. Chairma
The Tree Tax system is bad. Befc habit was limited to only the labour Today I don't know whether there toddy. I have noted much drunkenne of my area are drunk. I have seen this month-they were not behaving are so close to one's house that todc there is disorderliness in the home a is crime as a result of toddy drinkin Court because these crimes are con their kith and kin. In the last two ) crimes in the form I have illustrate about the area and I see those things family close to my house where aln can hear the woman crying at about assault. I have not been to the wom tappers are worse off under the tree the tavern system as most of the ti Tappers are paid very little. They m they may be paid in kind by bein For their employment in agriculture a day. They may have taken up to ta agriculture and they may also like til tapper are also less. I am talking of aware that many of the tappers sup farms. I have seen toddy being sold on credit. Consumers have told mes daily. I own palmyrah trees mysel tapping. I have no lands under culti
Mr. M. Swaminathan, Farmer and als
Tree Tax is harmful. In every vill to the road and people get drunk ar the road. I see this happen every day I hear of some brawl or other cropp crimes due to drink. About 3 weeks assaulted another man while he was The case is pending in the Magistra assault was an old grudge. I have see 10 o'clock at night in toddy booths. on credit. I heard that it is sold on cri the tree tax system and the taverns proper and sanitary supervision by are entirely insanitary. I have seen is a tonic, but I have no personal e make jaggery out of sweet toddy in a lb. of jaggery at Keerimalai for 40 was locally made. To make 1 lb. of ja Last year from one tree I obtained 6 sweet toddy is made in kind on all gallon a day. I have been having thi is better to issue a licence even for trees. If there is total prohibition I a of jaggery. It is paying. Tappers ca work. Palmyrah trees yield only for can be no jaggery manufacture for manufacture the jaggery while the

STEM IN JAFFNA 45
n, Kokuvil
re this was introduced the drinking classes and they drank at the tavern.
is any exception. All classes drink ss. Almost 50 per cent. of the people about 3 or 4 hundred people drunk
in disorderly manner. Toddy booths ly is freely available. He drinks and is a result of drink. I can't say there g but most of the cases do not go to hmitted at home after liquor among months I can count about 100 minor d. As Chairman, V. C., I have to go on my rounds. I know of a particular nost every day or every other day I 6 or 7 p.m.-crying as the result of Lan's house, during the assault. I say tax system than they would be under appers are now employed by others. ay be paid Re. 1 or Rs. 2 per day or g given a certain amount of toddy. they are paid Rs. 3.50 plus a meal apping because tapping is easier than neir drink. The working hours of the
what I know in my area. I am also plement their income by working in in sheds late in the night. They sell o. The average farm labourer is paid f; I have not leased any trees for vation in Jaffna.
o Manager of Schools, Kopai
age I have seen that booths are close ld behave in a disorderly manner on when I visit my schools. Every time ing up after drink. I know of many ago a man got drunk and went and sleeping at night and broke his head. te’s Court, Jaffna. The reason for the n personally sale of toddy at 9.30 and I do not know whether toddy is sold edit. I prefer prohibition, but between 7stem I prefer the tavern system with the Department. The present booths this personally. They say that toddy xperience. I take sweet toddy. I also my house. I bought a little more than cents yesterday. The jaggery I bought iggery gallon sweet toddy is needed. ) lbs. of jaggery. Payment for tapping ternate days. A female tree yields a Stree tapped for the last 45 years. It drawing sweet toddy from palmyrah dvocate the tapping and manufacture in supplement their income by other 3 months in the year. Therefore there the rest of the year. The women can
men tap the toddy. We are trying

Page 46
46 CEYLON SESSIONA
to spread the jaggery business thro Palmyrah Products Society. There i fact immediate sale. One tapper can
Mr. N. Sivagnanasundaram, D. R. O.
I was here for the last one year. T because the living conditions of the leads to unlimited drinking. I have knows how much toddy is being co Statistics. In the last week I have se in a disorderly manner. I do not know I am not in favour of prohibition. I v rather than taverns. Toddy booths s kept and run under sanitary conditic but I have received reports from head I have no personal knowledge. I knc boys having been fined for drinking is also a matter of report. Ordinarily physical force after drink. If the owne of the headman and the headman cc accepted. If there is any doubt the h In regard to the ownership of trees, tapping because tree tax licences are is only Rs. 2.50 or Rs. 10 per male and If a tapper taps 15 trees he should be true that the tappers are going up in if rules are framed to prevent sale to had two inquiries into complaints of toddy drinking. This was among the t extensive illicit tapping. Unless the would prefer the tavern system to the be framed to compel the tapper to th
Pt. Pedro Rest Hou
Mr. R. Sithamparapillai, D. R. O., Vad
I have been here for 1 years. The T It gives opportunities to everybody to seen many children drunk. I have no I have seen children at “kottils' twi women at "kottils'. I have seen child had been D. R. O. I was in Delft and Pl tree tax licences in those divisions. I at night. Sales go on till 10 p.m. It mi that time. I have seen persons drunk v of my duty. There have been breach owing to drinks. About a dozen such this year. These cases go to the rural these cases-figures are available wit prohibition, but in favour of taverns. not sanitary. The drinking vessels “l contamination by birds, &c. Toddy pot heard of owners' signatures being for across any such case in my division. as to the correctness of the signature

L PAPERS, 1954
oughout the Peninsula through the s a very quick sale for jaggery. In tap on an average 10 trees a day.
, Valikamam North
ree tax is both good and bad. Good tappers are better; bad because it seen a lot of people drunk. No One nsumed in the place. There are no een about 4 persons a day behaving of any crime as a result of drinking. vant tree tax if it is well supervised should be well Supervised, accounts ons. I have not seen children drink, men that children and women drink. w of one boy being expelled and 2 at Union College, Tellippalai. This men use abusive language and use r of the land can sign in the presence punter-signs it the signature can be eadman can verify from the deeds. I do not think there is much illicit obtained for the asking and the fee female palmyrah tree respectively. able to earn Rs. 500 a month. It is life. Consumption can be controlled women and the young people. I have assault on the wives as a result to apper class. I have no knowledge of booths could be well supervised I tree tax system. Regulations should row out the unsold stale toddy.
se-April 28, 1954
amaradichi
ree Tax System is not a good thing. get drunk irrespective of age. I have bt observed this daily, but generally ce or thrice a week. I have not seen liren drink in other divisions where I unaikari-Tunukkai Divisions. I issued have not observed drunkenness late ght go on even later, but I go to bed with toddy after 10 p.m. in the course es of the peace-no violent crimecases have been committed so far
courts. I do not know the result of h the police. I am not in favour of
The sheds where toddy is sold are plas' are exposed to dust and even is are generally kept covered. I have ged by tappers, but I have not come If the headmen are asked to certify of the owners of trees, it will not

Page 47
TREE TAX SY
cause the tapper any trouble in m and from complaints of other people do not know whether they drink wit A headman was found drunk after 1
Q. " From what conduct of the drunk 2. '
A. “Seeing them on the road aft the smell of toddy. The songs are ba are established all persons will not g town council area of Pt. Pedro is ab palmyrah trees in the town area, bu from the trees that are found in town hood. I am aware of illicit tapping sweet toddy also should be license tapped is Smaller than palmyrah tre trees are tapped.
\
Mr. V. Arunasalam, 68 years, Pt. Ped
I am speaking for myself. I am a r Schools. The tree tax system is positi women and children and there is a It is due to the accessibility of toddy the day. Toddy is taken to houses ar join together and drink. I have plen these gardens I have noticed women d were in existence there was no que Women ever went to a tavern. I have got into the habit. They drink regular toddy is harmful. People drink ferme but for the time being the tavern syst habit should be weaned out gradually will be no crime if there is no toddy. relatives do not indulge in toddy. Som of 15 to 17 drink. They drink without control is not effective. I retired 8 yea There is much illicit tapping of pa manufactured in Point Pedro.
Q. “There was a suggestion put to
A. "It is very good. An attempt m I have given out my trees for tapping. I gave permission for the tapper to t tapper may tap one or two spathes foi adulteration of toddy is going on. Th water out and mix this water with soc In order to give a better 'kick' this over some leaves called “poomathai time. I get Rs. 2 or Rs. 3 as lease mon give the trees free for labour rendere ment did not cut any spathes from tre
Mr. A. C. Rajasoorier, Planter, Pallai
I have been in Pallai for 10 years. tree tax system is not really bad. Whe it was done with good intentions, bu

STEM IN JAFFNA 47
opinion. From abnormal behaviour I found that children were drunk. I h the consent of their parents or not. ) p.m. He was reported and punished.
people do you infer that they are
r hours, singing in a loud voice and d obscene and indecent.' . If taverns et drunk nor persons of all ages. The out 10 square miles. There are many t no coconut trees. Toddy is brought and also brought from the neighbourbut it is not plentiful. Tapping for id. The percentage of coconut trees 'es-almost 10 times more palmyrah
O
etired teacher. I am now manager of vely bad. Toddy is made available to endency among men to drink more. y. It is available all the 24 hours of hd women from a number of houses ty of palmyrah trees. On my way to rink in large numbers. When taverns stion of drinking in houses and no seen children drink. They have now ly. "Era' is harmless but fermented nted toddy. I would like prohibition, em must be introduced. The drinking 7. I am not a toddy consumer. There Serious crime is on the increase. My e of my friends take toddy. Children
the consent of the parents. Parent's rs ago. I am now manager of schools. lmyrah trees. A lot of jaggery is
us to allow societies to sell toddy.'
ay be made to form much a society.” There is illicit tapping in my garden. ap my tree for sweet toddy, but the fermented toddy. I have heard that ey put water into rice, squeeze the la and sugar and add it to the toddy. adulterated toddy is placed in a pot ' and allowed to remain for some ey for a palmyrah tree. Sometimes I d by the tapper. The Excise Departes in my garden.
attended St. Patrick's College. The the tree tax system was introduced 5 it is being abused. Tappers bring

Page 48
48 CEYLON SESSION
their toddy to a central place and sell, the sales. The public have no confic committee shall be composed of Exc: public. No politicians-this is very ess In rural areas the postmaster too ma within half a mille there are 31 booths there are a number of them too. A There is no time for selling toddy-g your toddy. In Pallai crime is on the the Supreme Court for the murder of established drinking will be localised market, but toddy is found everywhe toddy also to be sold in a central pl toddy and offer it for sale to the consu stale toddy should be final. Once I ( The morning toddy was good, but v it was adulterated with the stale todd control some of the toddy booths. relatives buy toddy and sell it. The A. of toddy. Toddy is transported from Pallai toddy is sold at 15 cents but a Re. 1 a bottle. It is best to give the tav market all tappers who tap should o be by the tapper himself and nobody toddy is handled by the “mudalalies to some other tapper, but he may be relative. At present tappers obtain a number of trees without a licence. I do they abuse the privilege. Stale fern immediately. There should be a local k area the palmyrah tree is tapped a owner. There are few tappers in P: engage the required number of tappe: There are very few tapping people Jaffna are given to corruption-not : the very house where temperance wi The Excise Officers have detected Suc of suggestions from a friend, Mr. S. toddy to the market should be allow central selling place for toddy under t of accounting. At the market place th 4 bottles, if he taps only one tree and the Excise Inspectors are corrupt. It is on the road, specially on market days her father who was in the habit of bea toddy, made life unbearable for her, a and home. The girl has left to look af and sells toddy in a booth though h drinking is essential-with 2 bottles o for 3 or 4 hours. Because of the droug trees, 700 have gone to waste in Palla
Mr. M. Sivapragasam, Proctor, S. C.,
I have been here all my life. Tre government is to make people take le to the young and old to drink more ar seen boys of the J. S. C. and S. S. C. cl and drink toddy during school interva

AL PAPERS, 1954
There should be a board to supervise ence in the Excise department. The se officials and some members of the ntial. The M. O. H. also will be useful. y be put in the committee. In Pallai on the main road. On the cross roads t Pallai “any time is toddy time'. t any time you can call in and have increase. Today there is a case before a man in a toddy booth. If taverns are Fish, vegetables, &c., are found in a re. The booths are insanitary. I want ace where all tappers can take their mers. The board's decision as regards btained toddy for a friend of mine. vhen I got down the evening toddy y of the morning. Now “mudalalies' The D. R. OO's and the headmen's C. E. on my report seized 200 bottles Pallai to Kilinochchi in lorries. At t Kilinochchi it is sold at 50 cents to erns after a popular vote. In a central ffer their toddy for sale. This should r else. At present 75 per cent. of the '. A tapper should not sell his toddy allowed to sell his toddy through a licence to tap a tree, and then tap a )n't give my trees for tapping, because hented toddy should be thrown out board to see that this is done. In Pallai lmost without any payment to the alai. The “mudalalies ” from Pallai rs from Point Pedro and other areas. at Pallai. The Excise Officers in ill but most of them are corrupt. In orkers live toddy was kept and sold. h stocks. (Witness hands over a list K. Wyramuttu). A tapper who brings ed to sell toddy on the way. At the he tree tax licence I suggest a system e tapper should not bring more than so on in that proportion. Almost all a common feature to see people drunk My servant girl has left me because ting his wife every day after drinking nd the poor woman left her children ter the other children. The man taps e is not of the tapper class. Toddy toddy a man can work without food ht out of a thousand acres of coconut . No Government assistance is given.
Pt. Pedro
tax is a bad thing. The policy of ss liquor. This system gives facilities d more. It is sold at all hours. I have asses of over 15 years go to the booths S. Even in courts boys are brought up

Page 49
TREE TAX SY
on charges of theft, because they hav stealing to find the money. If it is taverns in a village-there will be no to drink. I am in favour of taverns. not practicable. Prohibition was not is good for malaria and several othe) is absolutely bad. If the tree tax sy; people will go down. Tappers take a number of trees. It is difficult for If it is a tavern, the tavern keeper v illicit tapping. I lease trees for tap palmyrah tree and Rs. 3 or 4 for a of each tree. Jaggery was once a thriv the tree tax system very few trees I of illicit tapping a tapper finds it
toddy than for sweet toddy for ja tappers will not have any work i tappers are cultivators. There is the industry. Jaggery is considered fa tappers own their own land and also do labour work. The 'Kovias’ a the “Vellalas' have gone down. A and Rs. 3 and mid-day meal for a tapper earns a day. They are selling man can tap 10 to 15 trees a day. Th. The tapping class is not the only cla many others. The country is being s in the country. The whole country brought in communism, and tree ta mind whether sweet toddy is tapped
Mr. C. Manickavasagar, Secretary,
Tree tax is bad. Toddy is being se sheds in every corner. Toddy is being There is no time limit. I have actual. obtain money from their parents u toddy. I am a teacher. I have seen bo been reprimanded for taking toddy. the parents come and say that they not in favour of prohibition. Taver because there are too many booths. I trees free for tapping toddy. Rs. 5 according to yield. Tappers tap in on. Their main job is cultivation. Ta they keep their children to sell todd young and their education is negle The tree tax system affords more op the cases that come to court are due the increase. For their drink they steal cattle. Price of toddy is 40 cer measure. A cultivator is paid Rs. 3'a Rs. 4 is paid.
Mr. T. Nallathamby, Peisioner, Tom
I speak for myself. I was the S Lumpur. I came back 3 years ago. access to toddy drinking. The habit

STEM IN JAFFNA 49
e no money for toddy, and they take to in a tavern-if there are one of two o opportunity for women and children , Total prohibition is better, but it is a failure in Jaffna. I understand toddy r diseases. I think the tree tax system stem is continued the morality of the licence for a few trees and tap a large the Excise department to detect this. vill be interested in the prevention of ping. I get Rs. 2 or Rs. 3 for a male female tree depending on the yield ving trade in Vadamaradchi. Now after are tapped for Sweet toddy. Because more profitable to tap for fermented aggery. It is absurd to say that the tree tax is abolished. Most of the Sweet toddy industry and the jaggery r Superior to imported sugar. Some some lease land to cultivate. They nd “pallas' are now very high up and labourer is paid Rs. 2 for half a day full day. I do not know how much a toddy at 25 cents a bottle. An ordinary at will give him 30 to 40 bottles a day. ss working for the Vellalas. There are poilt by the free availability of toddy is short of labour. Free education has lx has brought in immorality. I don't with or without a licence.
Temmaradchi R. D. S.
old to women and children. There are sold at all hours of the day and night. ly seen children drink. School children. nder false pretexts and pay for their ys in class smelling of toddy. Boys had În order to keep the boys in the school had given permission to drink. I am ns are definitely better than tree tax,
have leased out some of my palmyrah to Rs. 10 is charged for coconut trees the morning and do other work later pping is only a side job. In the booths y. Their children drink when they are cted. The women sell in their homes. pportunity for a man to drink. Most of to drunkenness. Cattle theft is now on want roasted meat, that is why they hts a bottle. Rice is sold at 85 cents a nd a mid-day Weal and in some places
daimanar
Secretary of a Municipality in Kuala My opinion is that tree tax. gives easy is spreading among school boys. Boys

Page 50
50 CEYLON SESSIO
frequent the sheds where toddy is so are 23 or 24 years old. I am not awar gets Re. 1.50 for working for half a d is given. I hear there is illicit tapping for cultivation. I prefer the tavern
the drinking will take place in one pl at a tavern should be limited. Toddy
Mr. R. Kanagasabapathy, Puloli Sout
I am a teacher, I am 57. Tree tax is women and children drink. On April toddy in a cloth bag. I asked him v he was taking it to his father. I g. When I go for tuition on Saturday to excuse them as they have taken " children drinking palmyrah toddy. ' gardens. Women both young and olo returning from Jaffna I saw a busha and boys who came in the bus we toddy. Illicit tapping is going on on myself. The tappers play me out by t sweet toddy for which purpose th licences to tap one tree and tap 10 to 1 for tapping free. For tapping Sweet on alternate days. We make jaggery v kuddan of jaggery is sold at 50 cen have seen disruption in homes as a COMO C3S6e.
Mr. V. K. Chinihiah, Karaveddi West
I have been the Head Master of a President of the Malayan Ceylonese A and of many other Associations. I tax system is very bad. Every foot of and thereby the number of trees ha drinking habit. I have noted drunken 4 months I have seen a hundred disorderly. At Nelliady Junction ther accept my opinion these murders are are premeditated but the man who I am very much for prohibition. Alt the prohibition period I used to be leave. In 1928 noticed much better of illicit tapping. I can't remember I tion. As far as I know labourers go ol their first meal at 10 or so and go I own palmyrah trees myself. When by my father-in-law. Within one o stopped tapping of my trees. The rent tree may fetch Rs. 10 as rent. Labou odd jobs done by them, because I h 75 per cent. of the quarrelsare due to in my Association. A good number (

WAL PAPERS, 1954
d. Some of them smell of toddy. They e of crime due to drinks. A cultivator ay and Rs. 3 for the full day. No meal There is difficulty in obtaining labour system. If taverns are established all ace. The sale of toddy to an individual should be rationed.
h
most harmful. The chief cause is that
20, I saw a boy taking two bottles of where he was taking it. He said that ive private tuition to some children. s and Sundays the children ask me palmyrah milk'. There are so many There are toddy booths in palmyrah d drink toddy. Last year when I was lted on the road side and the teachers re in the palmyrah garden drinking
a large scale. I have palmyrah trees apping for fermented toddy instead of e trees were given. Tappers obtain 2 trees without licences. We give trees oddy the tapper is given the produce with our share of sweet toddy. One big ts and small ones at 100 for Rs. 3. I result of drinking toddy. This is a
Government School in Malaya. I am Association and President of an R. D. S. returned to Ceylon in 1946. The tree a tree has become a miniature tavern is increased. There is increase in the less and disorderliness. During the last odd people on the road drunk and a has been a lot of murders. If you will entirely due to drunkenness. Murders performs the act is a hired drunkard. hough I was away in Malaya during nere frequently for 2 or 3 months on conditions prevailing. There was a lot heard of illicit tapping during prohibiit for work early in the morning, have
out for their drink in the evening. I was in Malaya the trees were leased r two months of my coming I have paid for a tree varies. A good yielding cers work in my fields, but I can't get ld refused to rent out my trees. 70 to drink. There are about 2,000 members if the members may drink toddy, but

Page 51
TREE TAX SY
the majority of them don't get dru religion drinking toddy is an evil hab but they say we are used to drinki A good pay master finds no difficulty labour belongs to the “Palla' class. a labourer. We should not go against of engaging the tappers profitably. W tapping they are able to live more cc that the landless should be given lan they were willing to go to Vavur wanted me also to go with them and to spend my time and energy for t manufacture of jaggery, but found it ( they could get much more money, an is money. The people who behave in I have never seen school boys befor but since my return I find a lot of bo is done occasionally. I know of cer parents and also children stealing gar I have settled disputes in the homes in Wathiry area drink less than the “ were in families of below middle class No woman will go to a tavern and ask there is no harm. Once they get add be no limit to drinking. There will be if they give up tapping. They are onl tapped without my knowledge and department. There is a lot of illicit tree tax system immediately and hae We will in the meantime find some ot my Malayan pensioner friends to b -cultivation. A man used to hard lab before giving food to his wife and chi Tax system will not be a success as a to drinking toddy and the tappers w if more men drink, but I am concer) who are against the Tree Tax syste result of the Tree Tax system will drinking under the tavern system. T for the retention of the Tree Tax sy "Tax system should be abolished an
Mr. K. Olaganathan, Tunnalai
I am the President of the R. D. S., At present there are toddy booths taking toddy. Men take drinks and There is sò much of disorder and There is much illicit tapping. He pay number. I don't lease out trees for t a tree. A labourer is paid Rs. 3 a day. tapping. A tree yields 4 bottles of to one day from one tree 50 cents worth that toddy is adulterated. I have r even at midnight.

TEM IN JAFFNA 51
k. According to the teachings of my it. Nobody says it is not an evil habit, 1g and find it difficult to give it up. in getting labour. The majority of the Without food we give Rs. 3 a day for tapping entirely until we find means ith the wages the tappers earn from mfortably than the farmers. I suggest ls to cultivate. When I asked whether iya and cultivate lands there, they live there. I told them I was prepared he purpose. I tried to popularise the lid not work. By tapping for fermented d water added to the fermented toddy disorderly way are men of all classes. a the tree tax system drinking toddy ys going to booths and drinking. This tain children who steal money from den produce in order to pay for toddy. of consumers of toddy. The " Pallas” Vellalas'. The disputes settled by me . Tree tax encourages women to drink. for a drink. If people dont’t get drunk icted to the drinking habit there will no difficulty in finding jobs for tappers y trying to get rich quick. A tree was the spathes were cut by the Excise tapping going on. Do away with the lve the tavern system for some time. her work for the tappers. I have asked ly land and to engage the tappers in bour thinks he should have his drink ldren. Local option to abolish the Tree large number of people who are used ill vote for its retention. I don't mind ned about women arid children. Those m will be few. Those who drink as a e much more than those who will be herefore more people will be working stem. In the interests of all the Tree
the tavern system re-introduced.
Tunnalai. The Tree Tax system is bad. verywhere. Women and children are obstruct people passing on the road. rouble everywhere. There are fights. ; for a few trees and taps quite a large ddy tapping. A tapper pays RS. 10 for I can't say how much a tapper earn by dy. From the yield of sweet toddy for of jaggery can be manufactured. I hear bt seen but heard that toddy is sold

Page 52
52 CEYLON SESSIO)
Pt. Pedro Rest Ho
Mr. T. Ramalingam, M.P., Pt. Pedro
I have been practising since 1930. A system drinking has increased. I h disorderliness. Women and children h Central School I hear two years a disorderly and some disciplinary acti inquired from the principal about th not kept in the school after that inci the tavern days respectable people s working class people went to the tave in their homes, because toddy is brou sight to see people drunk. I unders introduced to enable the people to ha toddy now given for consumption is during the tavern system. It is ver system. Toddy is being sold late in days, funerals, &c. Parents drink in Sometimes parents give drinks to thi obtain toddy from the taverns on pe taverns are run by Government. The fresh toddy is sold to measure. It is is due to drinking toddy. Drinking religion. The 5 sins are adultery, dri to teachers. The spirit of the Excise am not for prohibition. I would recon The tavern should be conducted on facilities for supervision by the Exci to obtain toddy from taverns on pro commend the opening of taverns in a areas. With quick transport facilities take their toddy before fermentation labourers drink toddy and live on one is bad for people who do not do hard ceptions may be made. It may be th District is bad. I am in favour of drin sweet toddy. It is recommended for young and anaemic. "Era starts ferr are workers, taverns may be provide taverns as possible. Persons who war not behind screens. The best way t drinking is to make the men drunk in pols, but the tappers object to it bec justification for the fear. It is also and consumers of toddy under the tre for the Tree Tax system. Local Optic Peninsula. Tappers think that we a system because of caste prejudice. It i areas will be too unwieldy. In the c What was an Udaiyar's division then allow tappers to sell their toddy in o impracticable, and would lead to ab by tappers at markets as vegetables a stable price to be paid by the rent area should be allowed to form thems by me in my memorandum in answ. great r revenue than the Tree Tax sy

NAL PAPERS, 1954
use, 29th April, 1954
(and Advocate)
fter the introduction on the Tree Tax ave noticed actual drunkenness and ave also taken to drink. In the Nelliadi go a student was found drunk and on had to be taken against the boy. I is boy and was told that the boy was: lent. I am not sure of his age. During aldom went to the tavern. Mostly the in. Now people like me also have toddy ght to the house. Now it is a common tand that the Tree Tax system was ve fresh toddy to drink. But I hear the much worse than what was available y difficult to supervise the Tree Tax the night particularly during festival homes and the children follow suit. e children. If doctors advise, they can ermits. I understand in Malaya toddy re is strict supervision to ensure that difficult to say whether serious crime is one of the 5 sins according to our nking, killing, stealing and disrespect. Ordinance was to restrict drinking. I hmend reversion to the tavern system. more modern lines. There should be se staff, and facilities should be given duction of identity cards. I would re3 or 4 mille radius, or more, in populous, available at present the tappers can sets in, to the taverns. The fact that meal a day is due to the habit. Toddy labour. In places like Delft certain exlat water in some parts of the Jaffna. king “Era . It is actually sweeter than anaemic persons. I had it when I was henting after some time. Where thered. The general rule should be as few it to drink must do so in the open and o prevent women and children from taverns. I have suggested local option ause they fear they may lose. There is possible in certain areas the tappers e tax system may join hands and vote n may also cause caste disunity in the re for the abolition of the Tree Tax. not so. Local Option Polls by electoral ld days polls used to be isy parishes. is now a W. C. area. In my opinion to ne central place like a market will be use. Q. “What about a system of sale are sold now '? A. “It is better to fix er to the tapper. ” The tappers of any elves into a co-op. Society as suggested r to questions 7 and 9. Taverns fetch stem. I am suggesting the reversion to

Page 53
TREE TAX SYS
the taverns because the tappers wil Tappers will lose a little, but we wa Most of the tappers are engaged on scultivators, carpenters, or masons in 'employment. Tappers who tap palm For a palmyrah tree a tapper pays I Rs. 2. I am not sure of the yield of assessed easily. During the off season. During this season he sells a bottle f on the demand and supply. A man ca tengage a labourer for Re. 1.50 to Rs. 2 labourer may earn a little more. Al Some cultivate gardens. The price of be issued for tapping sweet toddy, w toddy is tapped, fermented toddy s Licences should be issued to bona fid a number of Indian tappers in Jaffna of the tavern and the Tree Tax syst under the tavern system should be tapping. The tappers will Supply t familiar with the conditions in Delf Delft and such other islands are allow allowed to continue the Tree Tax sys You can make any arrangement that the tavern system will work better should be granted to tap for “Era' in allowed only on a special licence on in a sweet toddy or fermented toddy my opinion it is because of the invi few persons to enjoy "Era'; if a “Era” it will be all right. In fact II w. -of fermented toddy.
Mr. E. Chinniah, Secretary, and Mr.
kadavai, R. D. Society
We are speaking on behalf of the definitely bad. People are drinking ex and disorderly. During the tavern sy consumers took toddy. Today wome , a habit with them. In our area 90 p during the palmyrah toddy season. T. ment work. We are unable to hold n bers come drunk to the meeting and t useful to the meeting. We find it diff they are unable to control themselve is sold at all times even as late as 12 r those days but now the tappers don is costly and the tapper gets more m made school children drink toddy. C toddy and go to school. They give lar money for toddy. The facilities fees Only at the end of the term the par have not been paid. The morality of toddy. We had a lot of meetings to S difficult to stop people from drinking Sweet toddy tapping will benefit the sumer. We want the tavern system

STEM IN JAFFNA 53
not be deprived of their livelihood. nt the drinking habit to be reduced. other work as well. They are either addition. Tapping itself is a seasonal yrah trees do not tap coconut trees. s. 4 in my area. A male tree fetches a tree. A tapper's income cannot be he sells a bottle for 50 cents or a rupee. or 10 to 15 cents. Everything depends in tap 10 to 15 trees. In my village I a day with a meal. In other areas the abourer works from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. toddy may be stablised. Licences may ithout a fee. In gardens where sweet hould not be allowed to be tapped. e tappers. I understand that there are own. When I advocated a combination ems I recommended that the tappers issued licences, as they are now, for oddy to the taverns. I am not very t; but until Such time the people of ved good drinking water they may be item. I am not able to speak for Delft. will suit the area. In principle I think than the Tree Tax system. Licences the sweet toddy area. This should be a medical certificate. It can be tapped area. If this system leads to abuse in dious distinction made in allowing a system of licences is introduced for ant the people to take to "Era instead
\. Vallipuram, President of the Kovil
R. D. Society. The Tree Tax system is :cessively. We have seen people drunk stem only 10 per cent. of the present n and children drink. It has become er cent. of the population get drunk 'ee Tax is a handicap to Rural developLeetings during this season. The memhey are unable to contribute anything cult to control them. Owing to drinks os. Toddy under the Tree Tax system midnight. Jaggery was a good industry 't tap sweet toddy. Fermented toddy oney from it. Easy access to toddy has verage boys go to toddy booths, take he excuses to their parents and obtain given to the boys are paid for toddy. 2nts come to know that facilities fees the people is going down because of top the drinking habit, but we find it . Tappers can take up to other trades. tapper, the tree owner and the cono be re-introduced. Some doctors say

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54 CEYLON SESSION
that toddy has medicinal value. Whe can go to the tavern and have the toc today. The man pays the tapper firs home. The Tree Tax system should gc a labourer is paid Rs. 2 for half a d whole day, and a noon meal. A cocon few tappers (Nalavas) tap toddy an
Mr. S. Kandavanam of Karaveddi No
I am speaking for myself. I am a h prevailing at present is bad. It has facture. From January to August at ture of jaggery. In 1924 where there of Polikandy flourished by leasing o toddy. The factory was closed in 1925 gery was going on under Governme
The number of people who drink ha drink. I have seen people drunk in P. from drinks, but now it has started to Karaveddi North there is more troub drink. People are unable to get out fo veddi North. There it has become dif People throw stones when meetings death of Mr. D. S. Senanayake a cine man's head was broken by stone thro would give up drinking because of p taverns are opened the people who taverns and drink, because they are r are to begin to drink in future will no will be few and therefore there will don't lease out trees for tapping. It w gery industry. My school is a vernacu the teachers do not drink. Therefore ol
Mr. T. V. Noon and Mr. A. S. Kandia
We are speaking on behalf of the Ja the Tree Tax system will be bad for s among the common man. A labourer toddy which is available at the boo drinks the labourers are reducing the credit. A tree owner gives his tree fo his toddy at 25 cents a bottle, he wi 'a ling drinks. We have our personal až je li ing at Gampola we have seen are n it drinking at Gampola. Ther theopl assemble and drink. There is asy the side of the temple there is a to sell toddy till late at night. The tapp now ; but the tapper can find some ( can produce sweet toddy, they can ma a commercial enterprise. If jaggery ca of sugar and jaggery can be stopped. a lesser evil. The tappers themselve supply the toddy to taverns. Women taverns. Men could get better toddy price of toddy in June or July rises there is a great demand the tappers injurious to health. Soda and stale ri

AL PAPERS, 1954
required for medical purposes they dy. Every home is running into debt , and takes any balances left to his
We don't lease our trees. In our area. ly's work and Rs. 3 if he works the ut tree is very rarely tapped. Only a
the others do manual labour.
rth
eadmaster. The Tree Tax system as greatly reduced sweet toddy manuPolikandy people lived by manufacwas a sugar manufactory the people ut their trees for tapping for sweet . After that the manufacture of jagnt, but it has not been satisfactory.
s increased. Women and children too olikandy West. This village was free drink. They don't drink at night. At Le among the tappers. This is due to r work after 7 p.m. I teach at Karaicult to hold meetings after sun set. are held. On the anniversary of the ma show was held. On that night a wing. I don't think that a drunkard rohibition. It is my opinion even if are used to drinking will go to the how so used to drinking. People who )t go to the tavern to drink. Taverns pe less temptation to go and drink. I ill be difficult to resuscitate the jaglar school. It is well disciplined and ur students don’t drink.
h
ffnese living at Gampola. Continuing society. It has caused a lot of poverty gets Rs. 2 to Rs. 2.25 a day. He takes ths which he drinks like water. By ir families to poverty. He drinks on r Rs. 10 a year. If he has to pay for ll be indebted. The children are out interests at Point Pedro. Because we the difference. Women and children are sheds close to temples where a temple adjoining Hartley College. ddy shed. Each tree is a tavern. They per no doubt will make more money other employment quite easily. They nufacture jaggery which can be made n be produced to a vast extent import We would have to choose taverns as es can form into a co-op. body and and children will be kept away from in taverns without adulteration. The up to 80 to 90 cents per bottle. When
introduce various things which are 2e water are added to the toddy. The

Page 55
TREE TAX SYS
police speak of grave crime, but the recorded. Therefore the police canno the area. A child will not ordinarily and obtain the money from its parer co-operative societies.
Mr. T. Rajalingam of Alvai South
Alvai South, President, Mr. S. Tha Toddy Tappers' Union
The Tree Tax system is good. It is get more remuneration. A tapper car A tapper works from 7 a.m. to 12 no don't do other work. A man who wC half a day and Rs. 2.50 or Rs. 3 for farms. We are tappers. If we work in beasts. We must start work at 8 a.m. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. We go home for our r in India studying for the B.A. degree Under the tavern system only a small The renter will give employment to or 12 other tappers. Because there is according to his capacity. There is no for himself. Because of the Tree Tax son to the English school. Tree owne system. There is competition betwee higher rent for trees. We pay Rs. 30 t. tree we pay Rs. 2 and Rs. 2.50 and fo trees are being tapped under the Tree of trees tapped people will have rec more or less a food, but arrack wa benefited by the Tree Tax system. W hibition. There is no caste distinction distinction in Jaffna the high caste p It is only today we are allowed to sit days we are not allowed to have sea against the Tree Tax system are hi. people are not educated and theref evidence before the Commission. Beca: us we have come forward. Therefore number of associations of the high cas in Alvai do not drink. Because of t. women do not drink. One teacher sa do not drink. This is due to the good If a bad example is set only will won toddy to school children in a hurry by children is prohibited by parent: boys. If teachers take disciplinary a will be no drinking among school chi away toddy there won't be this drir said that if there is nobody to buy n offered for sale. Ceylon is now noto money. When pensioners, teachers a ing the Co-op. societies, we hear tha educated men are asked to manage C will happen. In 25 years or so our ch will be able to conduct Co-op. societ people belong to the depressed classe are willing to have the Tree Tax syste

TEM IN JAFFINA 55
ce are 100 minor crimes that go ungive true figures of drunkenness in have money. It will have to tell lies ts. We are in favour of formation of
(Representative), Mr. M. Selliah of mbiah, Secretary, and 3 others of the
easy work for the tappers and they earn Rs. 3 a day during this season. on and from 4 to 7 p.m. Such people rks in the farm will get Re. 1.50 for he full day. We have not worked in the farms we have got to work like
and work till 2 p.m. and again from neals. (Thambiah says he is a student in Economics.) He is a tapper's son. number of tappers will be employed. his relatives first and after that to 10 Tree Tax every man can make money "middlemen-system . Every man taps system the tapper is able to send his rs are also benefited by the Tree Tax n some tappers. Therefore they pay o Rs. 50 for a coconut tree. For a male r a female tree Rs. 5 and Rs. 6. More Tax system. By reducing the number 'ourse to other liquor. Toddy will be n't be that. The consumers are also Ve tappers are in favour of total pron in the south. Because there is caste eople are agitating against Tree Tax.
on chairs at the Resthouse. On other ts here. All those who gave evidence gh caste people. The depressed class ore they have not been able to give use there are a few educated amongst one of our associations is equal to a te people. Fifty per cent. of the tappers hat young children and most of our id that children of vernacular schools | example set by vernacular teachers. hen and children drink. We won't sell . Some may sell. Cigarette smoking s, but shop-keepers sell them to the Lction against boys who drink, there ldren. The M. P. said that if you take king trouble. But Thiruvalluvar has neat, fish, &c., these articles won't be rious for Swindling of Co-op. society nd other educated people are managat money disappears. If we poor un'o-op. societies you can imagine what hildren will be educated and then we tes. In a village 1/5th or 1/6th of the s. The Wellalas, even if most of them 2m in order to obtain fresh toddy, will

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56 CEYLON SESSIOI
be forced and urged by their relative because the depressed classes are col for the retention of the Tree Tax sy have been disturbed by drunkards. It hirelings, gave them arrack, and ask is no proof that they took toddy. E had been drunkenness. It is correct people drunk and helpless. How can not to other drinks ? The jaggery ir ment is importing sugar. We will n does not pay well. If sweet toddy alternate days. The sugar refinery because the toddy supplied was adul Industrial Department started manu this is so, how can an individual mar said there were no “mudalalies'. lot of tappers are “mudalalies ?' in certain places'.
The Plantain Co-op. Sales So
Mr. D. W. Chelvaratnam, Divisional
My place of birth is Thunnalai. I division of Jaffna-Valikamam East Valikamar East division for 3 years for 4 years. There are 2 aspects to aspect is good, in that it has improve classes. A tapper makes 5 to 6 rupees in the morning and evening. In betw. In the urban area the tapping is full earns Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 on an average a on heavy work he gets Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 a price. The price of toddy is 15 to 20 c. arrack is manufactured, toddy fetch tavern system the price of toddy is ci tem the price fluctuates. A fairly la tapped. -
The social aspect is not quite so goc There has been an increase in drunk been fairly high. (2) Subject to ve District is very high compared with minor offences like assaults, petty the the Police Stations. it is most useful stations. Most of these offences are c Most of the quarrels are family dispu from families of the so-called under and “Pallas' are tappers. Some of the and others are also engaged in manua more because credit facilities are ava able. I have not seen women drinki report of his predecessor made in 1 urban areas College boys go out in c licences should be issued for tapping trees are cut. This means illicit ta thousand trees were examined and ( trees were tapped for sweet toddy. O fermented toddy. As a result of the in the pot arrack industry has become

IAL PAPERS, 1954
s to vote against the Tree Tax system, ning up. Therefore they will not vote stem. Some meetings were alleged to is possible that the well-to-do engaged 2d them to disturb the meeting. There ven during the tavern system there o say in the evening there are 5 or 6
you say that it is due to toddy, and dustry will not pay because Governhanufacture jaggery ourselves, but it is tapped we can get toddy only on failed due to bad management and terated with water. At Polikandy the facture of jaggery but gave it up. If ufacture jaggery at a profit. Q. “You It was brought to our notice that a A..." It is true there are mudalalies
ciety, Neeraveli, April 30, 1954
Revenue Officer, Valikanam East
have been in charge of the combine for 13 years and later in charge of 3. Thus I have been in the Peninsula the Tree Tax system. The economic d the living standards of the tapping per day. A tapper goes out for tapping een he is engaged in Some other work. time. A man who works in the farm day, for light work. If he is employed day. People get toddy at a reasonable ents a bottle. In Urumpirai, where pot es about 25 cents a bottle. Under the onsistent, but under the Tree Tax sysrge number of coconut trees are also
d. I cannot say it is definitely bad. (1) enness. Offences against persons have rification, the murder rate in Jaffna the rest of the island. In regard to efts, etc., most complaints are made to to question the officers in charge of ommitted between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. utes. Over 70 per cent. of the cases are privileged classes. Not all “Nalavas' m are engaged in other work. “Kovias' all labour. There is a tendency to drink ailable and toddy is also easily obtainng in public. (Witness quotes from a 948 to the G. A.) I am aware that in ompany and drink toddy. I agree that sweet toddy. Spathes of a number of oping is going on. Spathes of over a ut for illicit tapping, of these only 13 thers were unlicensed trees tapped for discriminate issue of transport permits a cottage industry. There are over 100

Page 57
TREE TAX SYS
illicit distilleries of arrack at Urump except that malpractices have mul coconut tree is 3 bottles a day. Male p a day. A tapper can legally possess, if possesses more than 120 bottles it in Tax evasion is a very serious problem where toddy should be served in mor of the people themselves, as rural de in giving them a personality. The t underprivileged by government. I an tion. The working class man should ha managed with the assistance of the residents of the area should be in t kept in a sanitary condition. The Pres nominated by the G. A. may be the and the public health officer may be Other members could be nominees O. tives of the tappers union may alsc gcommittee can see that adulterated ti committee should examine the toddy quality. They can make complaints to who can take action on these complai very often. Today the people are more do their work well in my opinion. T. people. There are more Wellala license piddi Village Headmen's areas under engage tappers to tap on payment c Unless we have a very generous wa opened. I don't like ordinary taverns for tappers. The minimum and maxir should be brought to a central place should be shared according to the c tapper. There will be no difficulty in pate internal mismanagement of the this is a better system than the taverr suicide for them if they do not mana be able to find out whether any toddy be in each V. C. area or in each Vil even in village. There will be enough in each Village Headman's division. suggest taverns by wards and there a ward if there is a demand. Tree t action and not by option. Therefore tion of taverns cannot be done with option be suspended for a period afte how the new experiment works. Coly in the evenings as most of the me actually held between 9 and 10 a.m. or hartal it is much easier to contro siting of the tavern is very importan Tax system is very unsatisfactory, an pers union I contemplate should be tappers are engaged in part-time tap d) other work. There is no unemploy is not manufactured in my division,
Mr. S. Selvadurai of Urumpirai
I am speaking for myself. I am a per Tree Tax system is bad. One reason

STEM IN JAFFNA. 57
irai. The position is as it was in 1944 tiplied. The maximum yield from a almyrah yields 6 and female 9 bottles he taps 20 trees, 20 X 6 bottles. If he neans he is tapping unlicensed trees. l. I am in favour of the tavern system 'e sanitary conditions. In the interests velopment workers, we are interested appers as a class are not considered n absolutely not in favour of prohibilve his drink. I am in favour of taverns Excise Advisory Committee. Leading he committee. The tavern should be sident of the R. D. Society or a person Chairman. The local Excise Inspector ex-officio members of the committee. f each R. D. Society. Two representabe included in the committee. The Oddy is not sold for consumption. The in the morning to see if it is of good the Assistant Commissioner of Excise, nts. The committee should be changed responsible and the committee would here will be more public spirit in the ees in Puttur East and West and Sirupthe Tree Tax system. These Wellalas of wages or rendering feudal service. ages board the taverns should not be unless there is a strong wages board num prices should be fixed. The toddy where it should be sold. The profits uantity of toddy brought in by each l managing the union. I do not anticiunion. Once the tappers realise that system, they will know that it will be age the union well. The manager will is adulterated or not. A tavern should lage Headman's division–if necessary tappers to form a toddy tappers union For the urban area of Jaffna I Would can be even more than one tavern in ax was introduced by administrative I can see no reason why the introduchout local option. I suggest that local r the introduction of the taverns to see operative meetings are not held usualambers come drunk. The meetings are When there is any civil disobedience l the taverns than tree tax sales. The t. The siting of taverns under the Tree ld cannot be controlled. The toddy tape composed entirely of tappers. Here ping; during the rest of the day they ment among the tapper class. Jaggery
isioner and farmer, I came 13 years ago. n is that it has brought drinking into

Page 58
58 CEYLON SESSION
every household. Labour is difficult to Rs. 5 a day. I have seen people dru on the roads, particularly at midday advocate the reintroduction of the ta have told me that toddy is now ad Kalviankadu to Urumpirai. Toddy is vance of the Excise Officers. Toddy Twice I saw the Police stopping the c but they allowed him to go away w. There are only “Pallas” in our villag Urumpirai are not enough to meet the lot of toddy because of illicit manufa distilled arrack because it is stronge pirai it will be necessary to transpor Neerveli and Urelu should be given a tion-that will be another farce like taverns. Introduction of the tavern habit. It is difficult to cater for a class leave Urumpirai (my home) and go a medical advice. We get more than R we don't get any payment at all from tree free for fermented toddy. If we tapper taps them for fermented toddy even women and children don't likes a taste for fermented toddy. Governm for the toddy. Tappers' unions and adv bodies will not work. People should be until they get tired of drinking.
Mr. S. Ratnam, Achchuveli North
I am representing the views of the A (Witness hands in a further memoria Tax system is good. I belong to the tap people. They can, according to each make a living out of it. If they do oth Rs. 1.50 a day for working in the garde ridges, harrowing, etc. A man could d is hard work. We want light work. O plant area. I am a specialist for chi make Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 a day. I am 29 yea my community can also be paid Rs. out of a thousand may be found dru a result of drinking toddy, but they can get Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 a day. Wealthy 10 p.m. toddy is not sold in booths.
Mr. P. Sinnaturai, Member of the Ach
I do only tapping as a full-time job. Rs. 4 a day. From July to December I
Mr. M. Manicam
I am not a tapper but a full-time land. I don't get a daily income. I cul my garden. Last year my onion cultiv to get Rs. 175. If the crop was not dam I got into debt last year. There are sev

AL PAPERS, 1954
get at the normal rate, that is Rs. 3 to k and disorderly almost daily-even
I am not in favour of prohibition. I vern system. People who drink toddy ulterated. Toddy is transported from
transported illicitly with the connistransported on bicycles in big jars. 7clist who was transporting the toddy, thout taking any action against him. e. They don't own lands. The trees in local demand. Our village consumes a cture of arrack. People like the illicit '. If a tavern is established at Urumt toddy from other areas. Urumpirai, tavern. I am not in favour of prohibitree tax. I am strongly in favour of system would decrease the drinking of people who want “Era'. I had to nd live at Neerveli to take “ Era ’’ on S. 5 for a palmyrah tree. Sometimes. those who work for us, but give the give out trees for sweet toddy, the on the sly. Sweet toddy is humbugweet toddy. Even small children have ent can fix a certain reasonable price risory boards are no good at all. These allowed to drink as much as possible
Achchuveli North Community Centre. 1.) I am a native physician. The Tree per community. The tappers are poor
ones capacity, tap a few trees and er work they will be paid Rs. 1.25 to n.They are paid this wage for making O only 100 plants a day. Garden work inly very few people can work a 200 ldren and expectant mothers. I can urs old. We will be happy if others of 3 or Rs. 4 a day. It may be that one nk on the road. People don't fight as become talkative. An average tapper people drink brandy and gin. After
chuveli North Community Centre
From January to June, I get Rs. 3 to get Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 a day.
agriculturist. I cultivate on a leased tivate onions, tobacco and manioc in ation was spoiled and I was only able aged I could have earned much more. eral people who mortgage their lands,

Page 59
TREE TAX SY
obtain money and invest on cultivati redeem the mortgage, otherwise the l We own small pieces of land for ou. trees. My living is supplemented
when taverns existed 3 cents for a bo a bottle of coconut was paid to the
Q. “Would you like to have a bo sale which we will call a tavern. Mel to sell, keep accounts, &c., in this tave the tappers of toddy in the proporti
A. “I do not like this because t hours of sale. The surplus toddy will according to the demand. Therefore money for the trees I tap. Whenever toddy and deduct the money from t
Q. “Suppose we order that yout the tavern keeper is ordered to tak give the money to you immediately.
A. “We are not in favour'. It W continue but the maximum numbel duced.
Q. “Are there 'mudalalies who taepped ?”
A. "No. Some high class people have toddy tapped and sold. They al. We are unable to say whether the 'm supplied or a daily wage. Local t Vellalas ”.
Mr. K. Sivaguru, Puttur
I am speaking for myself and fo) elected member of the Excise Advis were closed by local option. I asked to one man for one tree. He said “ Hic a day'? The extra quantity should drink. I am a man who gives trees Rs. 50 for a coconut tree. The tapp system. Some of the people who ga tappers ; they are ʻmudalaliesʼ. Ev is carried on by “mudalalies'. T bottle of coconut toddy. One cocon or 3 bottles a day. He gets Rs. 2.25 fc than 2 bottles at a time-2 in the m he has no gain. The tapper gives t cents and buys back from the “mu cents a bottle. You Will therefore se benefited. If you will calculate the gets Rs. 450 per tree for one year. division and I know the tapping ma garden. We are unable to get labou tle labourer's are engaged as part-t time. Tapping is done in the mornin tion : if this is not possible I advoca and the tapper to benefit. The co-opt

TEM IN JAFFINA 59
in. If the cultivation is a success they nd is transferred to the money lender. dwellings. I have not learned to tap ly my father's income. Those days tle of palmyrah toddy and 4 cents for
apper.
dy of tappers with a central place of hbers from your society are appointed n, and the profit will be divided among n it is supplied ?
ere will be a limitation of price and have to be thrown away. I tap toddy there will be no surplus toddy. I pay the owner wants toddy I give him the he rent due to the tree-owner'.
ap toddy and take it to the tavern and over the toddy at a fixed price and
ill be a loss to us. The Tree Tax may of trees a man can tap may be re
hire men and have say about 50 trees
have Indian tappers under them and so get our own people to tap for them. Ludalalies' pay according to the bottles 'appers render feudal service to the
the C. A. P. & S. Society. I was an ory Committee in 1927. All the taverns Sir Baron Jayetilleke to give licences w could a man drink 7 bottles of toddy be sold'. Every woman and child now for tapping at the highest price. I get rs are not benefited by the Tree Tax ve evidence before you are not actual en among other communities Tree Tax le tapper is paid only 15 cents for a ut tree will yield 1 bottles at a time r a time or Rs. 4 a day. He drinks more orning and 2 in the evening. Therefore he “mudalali' a bottle of toddy at 15 dalali' for his own consumption at 60 e that it is the middleman who willi be income you will find that a “mudalali' I know every nook and corner of this n can get good wages if he works in the rers for ploughing, harrowing, &c. Now me workers. No tapper is engaged fulland evening. I am in favour of prohibite the tavern system. I want the owner rative principle is the best in the world.

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60 CEYLON SESSION
This system would benefit the consu the tappers and the consumers may
society can fix the prices. We must labourers. There are sufficient lands tappers and other labourers. It is on standard of their living. At present
and children drink. Women and chilc their wages from the society and go
Women and children of tappers sell sell the toddy. After tapping he is e it is the women and children whose drinking. The Trse Tax system was
it is harmful, and we want it to be illicitly distilled arrack is sent to Ir system would be the most satisfactory is a member of some co-operative soc means to pay the licence fee or to pa sell the toddy by themselves. The t lines will benefit the tapper. We can í and the prices at which the toddy is t to be divided amongst the tapper recommends taverns on co-operative
Sweet toddy is not tapped in this are: area. I am in favour of issue of lice) in this area will apply for such a lice
Chavakachcheri Girls'
Mr. T. Guneratnam, Mudduvil South
I am speaking for myself. I am a far. bad. The percentage of people who dr 75 per cent., during the last 15 year officers, police, bus drivers, lorry driv drink morning and evening and are a drink in public. Women do not drink abusive, vulgar and sing obscene sor The drink habit is daily growing. abolition of the Tree Tax system for hours--even till 2 a.m. in the mornin W. C. election, last month. Thefts a proportion. My sister-in-law and her night at 7 o'clock. Some drunkards passers-by came to their rescue and c place on the Jaffna-Kandy road. The of toddy are available. The Tree Tax are such that one cannot expect anyth a booth where there are 200 bottles brought from other places and every stops and has a drink. Practically th Before the tree tax system there was to the issue of licences for sweet todc paupers, They have pawned their jew plight. During the tavern system t tavern for their drinks. Now everyb I know man who drinks 16 bottles

AL PAPERS, 1954
mer and tapper. The owners of trees, become members of the society. The
raise the standard of living of the 7hich can be cleared and given to the y by these methods we can raise the very compound is a tavern. Women ren work in our society. They obtain across and have their drink of toddy.
toddy. The tapper himself does not ngaged on other profitable work and l the toddy. The entire population is started and after experiment we find abolished. I know from Urumpirai dia in catamarans. The co-operative
system if conducted well. Everybody iety or other. Tappers don't have the y the owner for the tree and tap and avern system if run on co-operative ix the money to be paid to the tapper o be sold to the consumer. The profits
and consumer. If the Commission lines we will see to the running of it. a. Illicit tapping is taking place in my nce for tapping sweet toddy. Nobody nce as Sweet toddy is not tapped here.
College, May 1, 1954
mer. The Tree Tax system is certainly ink has increased from 50 per cent. to s. Women and children, government ers almost all of them have started to public nuisance. I have seen women k very often, but men drink and are gs. Vulgar words are used at night. People have been agitating for the the last 15 years. Toddy is sold at all g. I saw this happen just before the ind gambling have increased out of child were going along the road one hallenged and accosted them. Some hased the drunkards away. This took re is a place where over 200 bottles system is such and the Excise officers hing good to come out of this. I know of toddy at any time. This toddy is driver of a lorry that passes that way are is no sweet toddy available now. plenty of sweet toddy. I won't object ly. Consumers of toddy have become tellery and they are in a very pitiful he habitual drunkards went to the pdy takes a pride in drinking toddy.
of toddy every day. His wife earns

Page 61
TREE TAX SYST
money by pounding paddy and mai drunk. He has about 6 children. Whel no food for him. There was a basket and sowed the paddy on the ground. cient curries. He seized the eggs his w on the ground. His own occupation Members of Parliament should not b drink and prostitution. They are pol to deceive the public. The drunkard's for its vitamin value. The sane man'. its alcholic value. No preference shou the Sinhalese tappers and no prefe. consumers over the Sinhalese consur people have had no leader. I am not tavern system. Some time ago I allow rendered by the tapper. This was 10 are employed in other pursuits such for middlemen. The proportion will The Tree Tax system was introduced possible to vote on Tree Tax by local for closing might succeed. This is und It will not be possible to fix the maxir allowed to take its own course. A re does not pay well. The tappers are doi to tapping trees. We have given eq class. Tappers should not be pampe rest of the people. The labourers, ow less attention to their homes. My relations and their children are drin the number of trees to be tapped by li open when one avenue is closed. If will be illicit tapping. I have read in admit that 90 per cent. of the tapp tappers are living in stone built an Sumers of toddy are living in thatch is a tavern. If there is difficulty in ob. go to the tavern. Why not give us th Tax. I don't think there will be an 'Nalavas' on one side and the “We introduced for the Tree Tax. The tri die off soon. The Tree Tax is very u
Mr. W. S. Karthigesu, Proctor, 60, p
Court
lì live at Kodikamam. I am secre in Ceylon-the Jaffna Association. I ment Societies with a population c total population of Jaffna is 496,0( people are “Nalavas' and “Pallas about 1,820. The number of trees w tapper can tap more than 20 trees. T -one for Tree Tax, another for 1 prohibition. I shall deal with the 3r tionists that drink is against all rel stopped. I also feel that the labol earnings on drink and there is an i the suggestion that so long as there

EM IN JAFFNA 61
tains her family. He returns home he returned home one day he found of boiled paddy. He took the paddy Dn another occasion he found insuffife had for hatching and dashed them. is some sort of broking business. 2 allowed to decide on issues such as tical eccentrics whose only hobby is interpretation is that toddy is taken interpretation is that it is taken for ld be given to the Jaffna tappers over 'ence should be given to the Jaffna hers. After Sir P. Ramanathan Jaffna in favour of prohibition, I am for the 2d a tree to be tapped free for services years ago. He is since dead. His sons as masonry, &c. Mostly tappers work pe a middleman for every 10 tappers. without local option and it was not option because of the fear that polls 2mocratic. I suggest the tavern system. num selling price. The trade should be nter will not get sufficient toddy if it ng a lot of other occupation in addition ual rights in education to the tapper red too much at the expense of the ring to the drinking habit, are paying children are not drinking, but my king. It will not be possible to reduce aw, because there will be other sources the number of trees is reduced there the papers that the tappers themselves ers are economically sound. Now the d tille roofed houses whereas the coned and mud houses. Now every house taining toddy only the drunkards will e right to vote for or against the Tree y trouble between the “Pallas’ and llalas' on the other, if local option is puble may be for a short time-it will hfair-it was imposed on the people.
ractising for 34 years in the Criminal
ary of the oldest political association am also President of 22 Rural Developf 45,000 in Tenmaradchy. I think the O. In Tenmaradchy 1.5 of the 45,000 The Tree Tax licences for 1953 were ould be about 10,000. I do not think a here are 3 parties in the Jaffna District verns and the third group for total group first. I agree with the prohibigions and on that ground it should be ing classes spend too much of their crease of crime. I entirely agree with are trees (the source of toddy) it will

Page 62
62 CEYLON SESSION
not be possible to stop tapping for both the Tree Tax system and the t where all the tappers residing in or co-operative Society and bring all th it at a fixed price to the public at a ( men's divisions. Formerly there wer 22 unions. If a village is large it can town each Municipal ward should har be served with toddy in the union must be destroyed. The price of todd should be allowed from the union pre permit. Only the people residing for to become members of that union, th committee members of the union wi toddy in one union they will have another union. At the end of the distributed to the tappers. Every ur Co-operative Inspector to supervise Inspector's salary is to be paic be released by the government. Excis privileges they enjoy now. Before the mart. This may lead to competitior suggest a Co-operative Union now. P the number of bottles of toddy su charges. Tappers will be paid accords after deducting all overhead charges. themselves into the proper wards ac toddy will be fresh till 7 p.m. I can paid for 10,000 trees more than 3 tim this area which is very wide and ju by both licensees and others. Owin; union illicit tapping and sale outside "tapper who brings toddy to the unio
Q. “ Some tappers will bring wate
A. "That happens even now. Hu Tree Tax system when it was origil tapper was tapping and making a pr are running the booths. Tappers are the system I suggest they will get union will do away with the “ muda Officers. It is the system that is to out the renters who originally kept t out the “mudalalies'. I am told tha tree and Rs. 15 for a shed. There are s *Government will benefit by the syst evasion of tax to the extent of a lakh tappers are more independent and m to run it much better than the high uneducated people than in the educa in any other place than the center a one of those who moved for the clos that there are 10 illicit arrack booth at Chavakachcheri. My system will n tapper in the union will be an honora information of illicit sales and tappi -case exist under any system. I asked if he taps 10 trees he will be able t athe law he is not entitled to possess

AL PAPERS, 1954
toddy. I suggest the combination of vern system on a co-operative basis e area will become members of the eir collections to the union and sell entre. In our area there are 22 heada 22 taverns. We can therefore have be divided into wards, and in Jaffna re a union. No child or woman should premises. At 7 p.m. all unsold toddy y must be fixed. No off sale of toddy mises unless the G. A. gives a special a year in one area should be allowed hat is tappers. The president and the ll be tappers. If there is shortage of the right to get their supply from month the profit derived must be lion may be allowed to have a paid the tavern and assist them. This by the union but he should e officers should be allowed the same last Commission I suggested a toddy among the tappers, that is why I rofit will be divided in proportion to pplied after deducting the overhead ing to the quantity of toddy supplied The tappers will automatically divide cording to their residential area. The give figures that though licences are es this number are tapped illicitly in Ingley. These 30,000 trees are tapped g to the competition created by the the union will be minimised. Every n will have a separate account.
r or otherwise adulterated toddy'.
man affairs cannot be perfect'. The hally introduced worked well. Every ofit. Now it is the “Mudalalies' who paid 10 to 15 cents for a bottle. Under
double this price. The co-operative lalies'. I am not blaming the Excise be blamed. My suggestion is to keep he tappers as slaves and also to keep t Excise officers are paid Re. 1 for a everal honest men in the department. em. I suggest. In my opinion there is of rupees in the Jaffna District. The ore united now and they will be able class men. I have more faith in the ited. One union cannot sell its toddy , which it is authorised to sell. I was ure of the arrack tavern. Now I find S after the closing of the one tavern ot cause illicit supply of toddy. Every ry supervisor, and will detect or give ng by others. Such illicit sales in any
a tapper yesterday and he says that ) get 80 bottles, though according to more than 60 bottles. As the tapper

Page 63
TREE TAX SYST
is rendering customary services to the supplies toddy free to the tree owner. Thus he informs me that 1/3 of his balance he can get Rs. 10. If it is a u to the union and get Rs. 15 a day. A Rs. 12 a day and the minimum Rs. . A cultivator if he plants 600 tobacc per tree. His income for a month is system the tapper will get only 4 ce) tavern system. Ninety per cent. of th the whole of Jaffna District. At t “Mudalalies” came after the introd There is a wrong impression in thi Pallas' are tappers and if the Tree will lose their means of livelihood. A (in his book. “ Ancient Jaffna ”-pag who accompanied their masters to til Support of that I would like to mer their cattle with their caste mark, i Original tappers. The real tappers According to Mudaliyar Rajanayaga “Pallas' and “Nalavas' returned to tion while the Chanas, who were n climbing and took to agriculture. “I in charge of the advance parties of V is why they are called “Nambies' ol introduce food drives among the “l be too glad to employ themselves in st say that toddy is no good. A book writ are good qualities in toddy. This is ( author is an ancient Rishi. If taken harm in toddy. A gentleman once sa the world. Ninety per cent. of the ( fermented toddy. A person who wants and purchase it from the Union. I being issued to get trees tapped. I sthis scheme.
Mr. T. Murugesapillai, D. R. O., Pach
ՀՏՏՏՏՏՏՏՏԳ.Հ.Գ. ՏՏ ԱՏՏՏՏ
the Jaffna District except the Isl months. I am a native of Pt. Pedro. system there should be no toddy boot was imposed undemocratically, na people were not given the right to v were levelled by Mr. R. B. Naish, the the Tree Tax system in his memor Minister through the Excise Com Naish complained that there was a ll I am aware of an instance of foul furniture on a Saturday under the secute the children, but later the and the children were otherwise de; had complained that the number ( extent in Pallai area that they co. situation is 10 or 15 times wors where I am the Officer issuing lice tion of the area. I have issued Tree

EM IN JAFFNA 63
“Wellala' he taps his trees free and his relatives, the Excise officers, etc. toddy will be so wasted. From the nion sale he can bring the 80 bottles tapper's maximum income would be 0. This refers to a full-time tapper. O trees will earn Rs. 1,200 at Rs. 2 Rs. 120 to Rs. 150. If it is the tavern hts for a bottle. I am opposed to the taverns are run by “mudalalies' in he start there was no “mudalaly.' 1ction of toddy sheds-4 x 4 sheds. country that the “Nallavas' and Tax system is done away with they ccording to Mudaliyar Rajanayagam e 383) the “Pallas' are only slaves l the fields. They are not tappers. In tion even now the “Pallas' brand e., with a yoke. They were not the were not “Pallas' or 'Nalavas'. m when slavery was abolished the their original tree climbing occupaumerically few, gave up their tree Nalavas' are ' Nambies' who were annia kings, and were archers. That ( “Nalavas'. If government were to Pallas' and “Nalavas' they would uch drives. It is true that all religions ten several years ago says that there bne of the books on food value. The in moderate quantities there is no id that toddy was the best drink in ases of violence is due to drinking toddy can apply for a special permit am not in favour of special permits would not exempt even Delft from
chilaipali-Karachchi, Palai
Clysseyeglio all the Divisions of ands. I am at Pallai for the last 4 My view is that under the Tree Tax hs or toddy shops. The Tree Tax system mely, by administrative action. The ote. In 1938 the criticisms now levelled then Government Agent, N.P., against andum to the Secretary to the Home missioner. In that memorandum Mr. it of toddy drinking by school children. school children smashing the school Influence of toddy. I was asked to proparents paid the cost of the furniture lt with. In 1941 one of my predecessors f toddy booths had grown to such an 1stituted a public nuisance. Today the e. In Pachchilaippali-Karachchi area, nces for tapping toddy for a large porTax licences for 331 trees in 1953. This

Page 64
64 CEYLON SESSION
is made up of 61 persons who are s employ tappers. I would invite the C Sion. You will be able to count at leas and Elephant Pass-a sparsely popula cap. Every headman has to send a r names of persons who are committir tions. This is a confidential report. T I questioned them they say that whe to hear of the report is the offender of Jaffna that it should not be proh prohibition will be bad. I would sug duced with preferential considerat societies or other Societies as is don of rural development societies. Toda the Tree Tax system. I have not seen drunk. Toddy is sold at all hours tapper earns about Rs. 15 to Rs. . to the middleman do so at a fixed 20 cents a bottle. An ordinary cultiva to Rs. 150 a month, which includes sc himself. If all the tappers are compuls they will not work, but if they volun consumers co-operative societies lead run on sound lines. When they know their benefit they will join together
Mr. R. Kanagasabai, Member, Town C
Town Council, Mr. V. Kanagasabai, kachcheri
We find the present Tree Tax syst tion, owing to middlemen and the pri Therefore the present Tree Tax sys are drinking, but not so much to ou hours. Nine out of 10 tappers will be we should have the Tree Tax syst bodies. There are local government Committees, Town Councils and M control over the Tree Tax system. taxes, look into the cleanliness, distri have the power to restrict the num and places of sale. We are for local C for the Tree Tax system under prope will ensure fresh toddy for consum purity for the consumers. Drinking roads, on lands where the populatio) and schools. This will prevent unlaw should not be tapped near places of should not be allowed to raise or lov Middlemen should go away from corruption should be prevented. C army of officers who only defeat the Every cent that could be recovered by the local body. There are several tre tapper could avoid paying the tax c drinking fresh toddy will be reflecte improve because of this new revenue paid the grants now paid by the C failed to work the tree tax system sati

AL PAPERS, 1954
ellers of toddy and 270 persons who Commission to pay a visit to my divist 50 booths between Eluthumadduval ted area. The headimen are at a handinonthly report On a form giving the ng offences under the Excise Regulahe headmen send nil reports. When n the reports are sent the first person himself. Toddy is such a native drink ibited. As far as toddy is concerned gest that the tavern system be introion for tenders from co-operative e now for public works in the case ly the middlemen get the behefit of women drink, but have seen children: at “ Koddils' now. An independent 25 a day. The tapper who supplies rate per gallon. I believe, at 10 to tor would earn on an average Rs. 100 me food crops which he produces for orily attached to a co-operative society tarily do so, they will. It is true that to abuse. But producer societies are that the society is for them and for and work.
ouncil, Mr. N. Arunasalam, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Town Council, Chava
am bad owing to bribery and corrupevalence of toddy booths everywhere. tem has failed. Women and children |r knowledge. Sales take place at all working for mudalalies. We suggest em but under the local government bodies everywhere such as Village unicipalities. They should have full They should issue licences, recover bution and sale of toddy. They should ber of trees to be tapped and hours option. We think the majority will be dr control as we have suggested. This 2rs. It will also ensure neatness and of toddy should be prevented on the n is dense on places close to temples rful assemblies here and there. Trees worship and thoroughfares. Tappers ver the price of toddy as they please. the toddy business. Bribery and overnment need not spend on an purpose for which they are appointed. y way of tree tax will be recovered by es which are now tapped illicitly. No lue to the local body. The benefit of d on the people. Local amenities will 2. The Local Government need not be entral Government. Government has isfactorily and should not be entrusted

Page 65
TREE TAX SYST
with it any more. Local bodies should trees tapped. Local bodies should hi which is unfit for consumption. Gov governing from a distance. The Centra has a member who will recommend to should be allowed. Places of sale alsc will be the honorary sanitary superv. displease certain sections of the publi of public opinion.
Q. “Is there no corruption amon Service '
A. "There will be-they can be d undertakings are the hunting groun recommend co-operative societies. Tap co-operative societies themselves. The among the tappers. There may be 5C Jaffna. The manager of the co-operat may become a middleman. Tappers people. If toddy is sold in a market the place. Originally the Tree Tax s land owner to have his toddy. For wal system has failed. If there is proper work. The tavern system was abolis duced to enable the people to drink worse toddy than under the tavern sy there was only one toddy tavern. No kachcheri alone. There are booths and by the side of public roads. The like and it is a loss to the consumers of the bribes the people engaged in th man who runs a booth has to pay R. a month. For passing each applicatio Tax system only benefits the Excise to tap only a limited number of trees be abolished. A tapper should tap O gardens where he taps. The Excise this system a success.
Mr. T. Samuel Thambiah, D. R.O., Te
I was here for 13 years. The tree caused a drink habit among women to alcohol. Toddy is generally availa the 24 hours of the day at all places. T there is no provision for local option. toddy tapping is allowed without a conditions. I am not in favour of proh encourage sweet toddy. Many peopl content but as a beverage, If there is weaned away from drinking fermer system I would suggest a kind of b, than taverns. I would advocate the o roughly suggest one bar for each h special demand. I would select the weightage to co-operative societies. I co-operative societies are corrupt. Ev on the question of loans, I would lik
5 -

"EM IN JAFFNA 65
have the right to limit the number of lve the power to destroy the toddy erning at the spot is different from il Government has failed. Every ward the local body where the “koddils'
could be limited. The local member sor. He is a politician and he cannot 2, but he will have to work in favour
g members of the local government
ismissed immediately'. Co-operative is of rogues. Therefore we will not pers are not educated enough to form ce are not many educated enough men
to 100 such people in the whole of ive society will begin to swindle. He themselves will buy from outside it will become the drinking area of ystem was introduced to enable the nt of proper supervision the Tree Tax control and check the system would hed and the Tree Tax system introfresh toddy. At present they drink 7stem. For the whole of Tenmaradchi w there are 9 or 10 booths at Chavaclose to churches, hospitals, schools tappers are selling at any price they . The price of toddy is high because he toddy business have to give. Every S. 15 to Rs. 100 to the Excise officers In a bribe of Re. 1 is paid. The Tree people. The tapper must be allowed . The transport permit system should nly 5 trees and sell the toddy in the officers should be removed to make
}nmaradlchi
tax system is bad. This system has and children. They are getting used ble in a fermented state, throughout here is no way of removing it because Illicit tapping goes on because sweet licence. Toddy is sold in insanitary ibition-I am for temperance. I would e drink toddy not for the alcoholic plenty of sweet toddy people can be ted toddy. In place of the tree tax ar which would be more respectable if sale of toddy in such bars. I would eadman's division unless there is a licensees by auction. I will not give my opinion over 50 per cent. of the 'en consumer societies are dishonest, e to have bars both for sweet toddy

Page 66
66 CEYLON SESSIONA
and fermented toddy separately. By
with sweet toddy we would not affect owner, but would increase the proc has all the good qualities of fermented toddy if fermented toddy is not avail independent and 3 will be under "-m is far above that of the average cul have a daily income of Rs. 10 to Rs. 1: a day. A tapper under a "mudalaly' vator generally spends about Re. 1 to is that alcoholic habits should be re jaggery manufacture. In Tenmaradic female, and 5,872 coconut trees are ta
Mr. K. T. Sampanthapillai, Clerk, D.
I am speaking for myself. I am a l the memorandum II sent. I am in fav tion is not possible. Seven or 8 India “mudalalies'. There are about 200
any others are working for “mudala
Dr. J. M. Sittampalam, D. M. O., Cha
I have been here for 2 years. Th You find a lot of increase in Small cri a lot of School children and some WO easily had in private. I can't say whe but a number of people come to the h and night. I attend to 3 or 4 cases of the men drink to get drunk. Some of 1 with injuries have admitted to me that a day. I think there are a few hired do not know whether Jaffna tappers good number of families are starving aware of 25 or 30 families of this na gradually. The Tree Tax system sh system re-introduced. Jaggery can b
Mr. M. Namasivayam, Wannarkerni
I am a tapper. I tap for myself. I do I am in favour of the Tree Tax syste. My father is over 55 years and can't t family as well. The Tree Tax system under any other system so much profit us. I sell toddy by the bottle to all an cents. I earn Rs. 5 or Rs. 6 a day. If I c a day. No free meals are given. I tap and sometimes 6 bottles depending ol go to sleep at 5.30 or 6 p.m. I have coconut season I had. I do not sell tod not seen any drunkards on the roads from my booth and school children c seen children drunk. I pay Rs. 2 to E to Rs. 20 for a coconut tree.

PAPERS, 1954
replacing gradually fermented toddy
the income of the tapper or the tree uction of jaggery. The sweet toddy toddy. I think people will drink sweet able. In 10 tappers about 7 would be adalalies'. The income of the tapper tivator. An independent tapper will . A cultivator may earn Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 may get Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 a day. A cultiRs. 2 on toddy a day. My intention duced and an industry horn out of hi 3,030 male palmyrah trees, 2,232 }ped.
R. O's Office, Chavakachcheri
and owner. I have nothing to add to our of the tavern system, if prohibiin tappers in Chavakachcheri tap for tappers here. I am not aware that alies ”.
avakachcheri
e Tree Tax system is very harmful. me though not in major crime. I find men taking toddy, because it can be ther toddy is being sold late at night hospital drunk at all hours of the day drunkenness a month. Here most of the patients who come to my hospital t they consume 6 or 7 bottles of toddy Indian tappers in Chavakachcheri. I are hired or not. I am aware that a
because the men drink toddy. I am ature. I am in favour of prohibition hould be abolished and the tavern e manufactured.
not employ anybody else for tapping. m. I support 10 people in my family. ap trees now. I have to look after his is the best for tappers. We won't get , and "mudalalies' will be exploiting id sundry. A bottle is sold for 10 to 15 ultivate I can earn only Rs. 2 or Rs. 3 7 or 8 trees. A tree may yield 3 or 4 n the tree. I am a full time tapper. I no tappers under me but during the ldy to children or school boys. I have . The school is about 1 miles away do not come to my booth. I have not Rs. 5 for a palmyrah tree, and Rs. 10

Page 67
TREE TAX SYS
Jaffna Rest House, M
The Ven. J. A. R. Navaratnam, Arch
It is the middleman who is real Tree Tax system; it is the same with would greatly benefit the tappers if t of tappers themselves, In Pachchila ten tappers could be independent m manager of the Co-operative Union, outside and he could direct the tappe could be run successfully. Under th hardship caused to the consumers ov into debt. Such accounts are not S yearly and consequently promissory there is even change of ownership O led to immorality in various ways. I drink. I do not deal directly with the teachers I know have had a lot of Pallai area has increased as drink i. times, for example, there was a taver and as such very few people drank ow. I agree that if there are renters the l tappers and not to the renters. The p the reduction of the number of trees will not cut down the volume of dri a name; the toddy is sold in the tap option on tree tax owing to the ve whatever the result of the Polls. Th toddy too fresh, in fact they sometin stronger, for example, a stew is mad this is mixed with the toddy to give i
Mr. P. J. Hudson, G. A., N. P.
If it means the alternative to Tree would say no. I would like to mod improvement to the present system a experience. I have had no experienc go about to the places and at times drunkenness. There are a few cases ( are isolated. I have had no cases of SC notice, but there is no reason why t Local option will bring caste dispute disputes are always liable to break trivial cause. There is some diffident times. For example, I found it diff witness sit at a departmental inquir out any discrimination-the general is still room for inprovement. Ther and if toddy sale is not so lucrative My impression is that tappers' asso of local option. I think that legal and operative societies composed of mel local option polls it is not possible present, there is nothing to prever from sending one agent to represen to represent the opposition. I think t would be a very good idea. The ans"

EM IN JAFFNA 67
ay 1, 1954-3.30 p.m.
eacon of Jafna
y getting the profits now from the the fishermen of the area. I think it averns are sold to co-operative bodies pallai area I think only two out of en. This is very unfortunate. If the I suggest, is a honest paid man from s' societies on the correct lines, they e present system there is a further ring to credit sales and their getting attled even monthly sometimes, but notes for big sums are signed and i lands. The present system has also have been that school boys also schools but many Headmasters and trouble owing to this. Rowdyism in ; so readily available. In the tavern at Massar which was quite far away ng to the inaccessibility of the tavern. icences to tap should be given to the rice too should be controlled. I think tapped will make no difference and nk. The so called “Kottils' are only pers' houses. I should not risk local ry deep animosity it will engender, e regular drinker does not want his nes devise means to make the toddy 2 of the veins of the tobacco leaf and t more potency.
Tax is the taverns with local option I ify what I have said regarding the S I have not sufficient field and court e of drunkenness here but I do not when one would normally find such if hardship caused by drink but they hool boys being drunk brought to my hey should be brought to my notice. and differences into the open. Caste Out owing to, sometimes, even some e among the depressed castes somecult to make a so called “pariah' '. In buses, &c., all sit together withIosition has been improving but there is a shortage of agricultural labour there will be more labour available. iations would fear the introduction bther men might take avantage of cohbers of the tapping community. In o identify parties, that is to say, at , a pro-closure or re-opening party themselves, and another to pretend apper co-operatives running a tavern ter to prohibition is in past history.

Page 68
68 CEYLON SESSIONA
Jaffna Municipal Council Co
Mr. T. V. Thiagarajah, Chairman, V.
The Tree Tax system is bad. Every Facilities are available for women access because every other house is houses themselves. In my village I house. There have been cases of dru give my supporters at the V. C. electi corruption. Ordinarily men drink fe) to 60 people who are always drunk a would suggest taverns being run on co-operative sales societies, the num mend a tavern for each headman's over. There should be regulations to r committee to direct the running of t The W. C. Chairman, Sanitary Inspe the public can form the committee. T not exceed 5 from each W. C. area. T to the G. A. He may consult the M. ping of trees is going on. Under pret tap for fermented toddy. Sweet toddy days. He gives the landlord sweet toc fermented toddy. I would like to hav trouble is whether we would have sui area it may be possible. Free licenc toddy. A tapper who taps for ferme tapping for sweet toddy. An area v tapping may be allowed for tapping lease trees for tapping for fermented thing for giving out trees for tappir thing for giving out trees for tappil tree fetches Rs. 5 and a coconut tree F Rs. 10 to Rs. 15. An average tapper e ing 20 bottles and by selling toddy a our area are part time tappers. They at other times occupy themselves as the community who occupy themsel most of the tappers are independent hired tappers because there are “mu “mudalalies' are found in Chavakac are more numerous in Jaffna Towr association to run a tavern. Collecti bodies. A tree near a public well is b front of the Chavakachcheri Hindu C we can't raise any objection. Next y find petty taverns near important road junction there is a tavern. The road. In 1949 the children of the kinc I was a teacher were found drunk students said that they took toddy. I toddy as food. A young boy was se questioned him after he recovered h gave him toddy. Adulteration of todo health of the people is affected. They with soda. The price is not fixed on the demand. The average labourer i. food and clothing for himself and h

L PAPERS, 1954
mmittee Room-May 2, 1954
C., Chavakachcheri
garden is a tavern. They sell at night. and children to drink. Women have a toddy booth. Sales are done in the
could find toddy in every tapper's kenness and disorderliness. I did not on toddy to drink, because it leads to mented toddy. I have seen about 50 nd who sing dirty songs, in public. I a co-operative basis like the present ber being restricted. I would recomivision if the population is 2,000 or 2gulate sale hours. I want an advisory he tavern for each D. R. O's division. ctor, D. R. O. and some members of he number of each committee should he selection of members may be left P. of the area. In my area illicit tapext of tapping for sweet toddy they 7 is taken by the tapper on alternate ldy, but when his turn comes he taps ye women on the committee, but the table women in the area. In the town es may be issued for tapping sweet inted toddy may be prevented from which is free from fermented toddy Sweet toddy, without licences. I don't toddy. In our area we don't get anyg. In other areas we don't get anyng. In other areas a male palmyrah Es. 50. A female palmyrah tree fetches arns by tapping 10 trees and producit 30 to 50 cents a bottle. Tappers in tap in the morning and evening and labourers. There may be a section of ves as full-time tappers. In our area . In Chavakachcheri town there are dalalies' running toddy booths. Such hcheri, Kodikamam and Pallai. They ... I think it will be difficult for an ng the tax may be left to the local eing tapped. Tapping also goes on in ollege. Once the trees are numbered, 2ar we have the area prescribed. We unctions. On the Kaithady-Nunavil e are over a thousand on the Kandy ergarten section of the school where with toddy-18 out of a class of 30 don't think parents give the children nseless in school. When the teacher s senses, the boy said that his uncle ly is going on and in cosequence the mix toddy with stale rice water and he cost of production. It depends on
not able to earn enough money for s family, but he spends most of his

Page 69
CREE TAX SYST
earnings on toddy. All the labouring the tappers. They spend half their ea labourers taking toddy for their mid given his midday meal in addition
present in Jaffna every man has 3 m
Q. "How can they have 3 meals a on drink' 2
A. “People may have yams, kurak
Q. “You propose that the new ta lines. How will you get the consume opposed to each other. Tappers will w will need more money for his drinks
A. "I would say that the price b consideration the cost of production. society. Even if there is a society com may be given the licence. There shou. the tapper and consumer'.
Q. “Why can't there be tapping in
A. Because women and children drunken men near the well. Under th tap should be given to the tappers. system. Licences for running the sales The tapper is a member of the society
Q. "The tapper instead of taking part of it on the way'?
A. "Under the tavern system also
Q. “If the tapper has the licence mercy'?
A. “I have no objection to a tappe educated men among the tappers. I am system has brought in a lot of good. here. Young men of the tapper clas Training School to be trained there. This is being run by the Northern Mr. J. C. Amarasingam, retired Princ is in charge of the school.
Mr. V. Nalliah, Secretary, North-Cey Ponnudurai, Member, Dr. V. T. Pasu Tea Commissioner, Mr. K. Kumara Gnanasampanther (all members of
We consider the Tree Tax system munity that drinks and to those w brawling in the family-all due to th all kinds of drink. But we consider 1 the Tree Tax system. We recommen chance to the people to vote. The Tr option. Therefore we want the taver their votes. It is not our object to members of the tapping community 15 are tappers, but none of them a

EM IN JAFFNA . 69
lass families are being exploited by 'nings on drinks. I am not aware of lay meal. In our area a labourer is o his wages. As conditions are at als a day.
lay if they spend half their earnings
kan, wheat flour-not rice”.
vern should be run on co-operative s to join the tappers? They will be ant to overcharge and the consumer
e fixed by Government taking into Consumers may be free to join the posed entirely of tappers the society d be mutual understanding between
ear public wells ?
go to the well and there will be Le co-operative system the licence to I am completely against the tavern depot should be given to the Society.
the toddy to the society may sell a
the tapper may sell on the way'. the society would be at the tapper's
r producer union”. There are many definitely sure that the co-operative The co-operative system is a success s may be sent to the Co-operative No fee is charged for the training.
Province Co-operative Federation. ipal of the Nallur Training College,
rlon Sarmarka Saiva Sabai, Mr. W. pathy, Mr. V. Paramanathan, retired samy, Mr. S. Arumugam, and Mr. T. the society)
is an evil. It does harm to the comno do not drink. There is constant le Tree Tax system. We are against he tavern system a lesser evil than d prohibition but we wish to give a ee Tax system does not permit local system. So that people can exercise
put down the tappers. There are in our society. Out of 633 members e present here. We are voicing the

Page 70
70 CEYLON SESSIONA)
opinion of the society. The tappers t were advocating prohibition at public policy of the society. We did not hav here to ascertain the views of the el are well off. Many of their children the class are not tappers. All the ta them are working for “mudalalies tappers. We think 50 per cent. of the balance are working for " out of 100 tappers 20 are independent have leased our trees for tapping. If a tapped the labourer does not render h plain they do not have enough labour ployment among the tappers as there i tapping is easier and more profitable t tion suffers because we can't get lab labour class family living close to my man, he takes it to the toddy booth. I. food. When money is paid to him, he day, because he compiains of a head Pasupathy: “As a medical man I wo in Small quantities, it acts as a poison derived from it. We must help the fut of the population drink toddy becaus and children drink. During Hindu te about the temple premises a number indulge in toddy. Even at Nallur Kand road- you get the Smell of toddy e leased by my agent, we obtained noth for services rendered. Sometimes we c fore we allow them to tap. A tapper m A cultivator earns Rs. 3 a day. By drir foot of the tree one loses his self-re concentrated in one place but in the difficult to supervise as there are nun will be a quarrel among the respectał insanitary and degrading. Within one booths and how can the police superv. request local option. We would sugges sion subject to local option for areas No tavern should be open without loca Tax system the tapping community wi want the franchise extended to women polls. The present system is that 60 should vote. We want even 70 per c earns Rs. 3 a day. Immediately after w his time and money in drinking till child because it did not bring curry therefore the child could not bring th living close to my house to put a part Because of this advice he refrained fro also drink on credit sometimes. The the durnkards there may be 2 or 3 p. drunk.
Mr. A. Murugesu, Assistant Commissic
I have been working here for about tree tax was introduced. I was the of where the system was first experim

PAPERS, 1954
emselves are for prohibition. They meetings. We are giving the general a special meeting before we came tire body of members. The tappers re in government service. Many of pers are not independent. Most of '. There are a few independent the tappers are independent and nudalalies.' (Some others say : and 80 are tapping for others.) We farmer does not allow his tree to be im any service. Many farmers comfor farming. There won't be unems a good demand for labour. Because hey don't like to give it up. Cultivaour at the proper time. (I know a house. If I give the wages due to the I give it to his wife, she uses it on would not come for work the next ache as a result of drinking.) Dr. uld say that if toddy is taken even 1. There may be certain advantages ure generation.” Today 80 per cent. e of the Tree Tax system. Women mple festivals you will find round of illicit booths. The worshippers asamy temple you can't walk on the very where. When my trees were ing for them--they were given free an’t refuse to give the trees. Therelay earn from Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 a day. king at the tapper's house or at the spect. At a tavern the people are case of a toddy booth it will be herous booths. At a toddy tavern it le people. Conditions in booths are mille at Anaikoddai you will find 21 se this ? If it is possible we would it a tavern for each headman's diviwhere there were no taverns at all. option. So long as there is the Tree Il not take up to any other work. We so that they can vote at local option per cent. of the voters in the list nt. of the total polled. A labourer ork he calls at the booth and spends 1 p.m. I saw a man hammering his for him. No curry was cooked and curry. I tried to induce a labourer of his earnings in the savings book. m coming to work for me. Labourers rinking habit is increasing. Out of er cent. who drink, but do not get
ner of Excise, N. D., Jaffna, recalled
30 years. I was in Jaffna when the cer in charge of Waligamam North ented with. Then the system was

Page 71
TREE TAX SYST
satisfactory. Gradually the tappers le tions. I produce a statement marked to the Excise Station. Sometimes tax are bad and do not yield or some n total number of licensees is 12,114 application for a tree or trees, and má There are 3 seasons-male palmyrah, It may be that for each land the ta application or he may apply for each the trees are in separate gardens. All living at Uduvil may apply for trees i They often tap before they get their are only for the 7 Excise Stations. not practical for the Excise officer owner on the application. Marking of the Excise officers' time. When t several trees at a time it will not be tax is paid and the application is sen trees is done. We number the trees the application. If a licensee takes O the application is not received back our instructions are that we must Vis: tapped. Under the tavern system ma is bound by the rules to give the marking period an officer will be lu and finish it by 6 p.m.
For one gallon of Sweet toddy 1: One lb. of jaggery is now sold at least 90 per cent. of them-get swee 10 trees he will give the produce o the produce of the other 5 trees he t will have sweet toddy for himself. . gallons of sweet toddy only for or can finish this work at 3 p.m. She ca She does not spend anything on fire reasonable cost for firewood, and 50 makes herself. Therefore the net pro toddy. That is two people's labour. T Some women also work in the fiel earn Rs. 4 each a day out of jaggery for fermented toddy he will be able owner gets Rs. 100 for the 10 cocon from fermented toddy are 3 times paid Rs. 2.50 for a male tree and Rs. licence fee for a male tree is Rs. 2.5 for a coconut tree Rs. 10. I produce st
Q. “If we re-open taverns only . after the area went dry, how far apa
A. "Some 10 miles, some 2 and S the demand of the entire district.”
I disagree with the suggestion tha toddy and not for fermented toddy. for tapping Sweet toddy. Almost a There should be no specification of : toddy because owners should not b selection.

TEM IN JAFFNA 71.
arned how to circumvent the regula'A'. Application to pay tax is made is not paid because some of the trees nay not find the money to pay. The this year. Each tapper makes one akes other applications at other times. female palmyrah and coconut seasons. apper will have to make a separate l tree as the tree spathes. Sometimes trees do not spathe together. A man n Uduvil, Sanguveli and Chunnakam. . applications passed. The figures given There are 43,000 applications. It is to verify the signature of the landof trees takes a tremendous amount he tapper makes his application for possible to reduce the work. Till the t to the Excise station no marking of within 4 or 5 days of receipt back of ut an application at a station and if , with the tax paid, within 10 days, it the land and see if the tree is being rking is more quickly done. A tapper boundaries of the land. During the cky if he could start work at 6 a.m.
lb. of jaggery can be manufactured. 80 cts. The Sweet toddy tappers-at t toddy on alternate days. If he taps f 5 trees one day to the owner and akes for himself. Thus every day he A woman can make jaggery from 5 he day. If she starts at 9 a.m. she un sell the jaggery for Rs. 6 (a day). wood; but I have put Re. 1.50 as a cents for the “kuddans, which she ofit will be Rs. 4 a day out of Sweet he man in addition works in the field. d. Thus the tree owner and tapper manufacture. If the man taps 10 trees to make Rs. 12 to Rs. 13 a day. The ut trees for the year. So the profits more to the tapper. A tree Owner is 7.50 to Rs. 10 for a female tree. The 0 and for a female tree is Rs. 10 and Eatement marked 'B'.
in areas where they were re-opened |rt would each tavern be 2
Ome 3 miles apart. It will not meet
at a tapper must tap only for sweet This will create a dearth of tappers ll tappers tap for fermented toddy. areas for Sweet toddy and fermented e deprived of their natural right of

Page 72
12 CEYLON SESSIONAI
Q. “ Why is it necessary to have li
A. “Because the owners of trees trees are tapped, otherwise he will owner cannot be prosecuted at present to give his tree to be tapped for Swe required. Further if licences are issu mark such trees and we will know t tapper. The mark will enable us to S fermented toddy is found he could b of toddy even if he is not found on t trees may not be practicable. We wi licensees, as the tapper will get dum society is a good idea, but I doubt wł In rural areas the full-time tappers a only part-time tappers. They do oth about 60 per cent. of the tappers a] about 20 per cent. are independent. T the town area.
Q. “Is it more practicable to run t tricts than in the towns. Is it more di:
A. "Yes, trouble arises from the most lands in towns are built up no in gardens away from houses. It is drink. I don't think it will be possible giving 1/3 to Government, 1/3 to lo The statistics I have produced are m
FIGURES FOR THE TREE TA)
N Station D. R. O. T.
Excise Station, Jaffna, Excise Station, K.K.S. Excise Station, Chankanai Excise Station, Kayts Excise Station, Pt. Pedro Excise Station, Chavakachcheri Excise Station, Atchuvely D.R.O., Vadamaradehy, Pt. Pedro D.R.O., Pachchilapali-Karachchi, Palai D.R.O., Pooneryn-Thunikkai, Pooneryn D.R.O., Islands, Kayts
D.R.O., Delft
* Rough estimate.
Jaffna, April 30, 1954.
|FIGURES FOR THE TREE TA
No. of Toddy Taverns in
y 9,
Yecr
924-25
925-26 926-27

PAPERS, 1954
cences for tapping sweet toddy'?
will have to give information if his
be prosecuted. The palmyrah tree because he knows that he is allowed et toddy for which licences are not ed the licensees will be required to hat the trees belong to a particular pot the tapper who taps the trees. If e charged for unlawful manufacture he tree. Reduction in the number of Il only be increasing the number of hmies to obtain licences. The Co-op. hether it will work with the tappers. ce only about 10 per cent. Others are er work in addition. In rural areas ce independent. In town areas only he chief consumption of toddy is in
he Tree Tax system in the rural disifficult in the towns ?'
issue of transport permits, because w, so that booths cannot be located
reported that most of the children to get an association to sell the toddy cal bodies and 1/3 to local charities. arked 'A' and 'B'.
K SPECIAL COMMITTEE 'A'
Licensees “Mudalal *- o. of Tree Total No. of r,0t Licensees : Licensees Applications belonging employing in 1953 in 1953 to the Tapper Tappers
Class
l,685 .. 7,264 ... 14 .. 66 2,124 . . 7,465 ... -- - 5
1,738 . . 8,433 . . 10 . . 5
778 . . 4,215 . . 65 . . 58 2,105 .. 7,225 .. 26 . . 65 l,820 .. 5,924 . . 500 . . 100 l,044 . . 2,575 . . 22 . . 22 89 ... - . . 52 . . 28
331 . , - . . 6. . . 270 125 . . - ... - . . 2
l18 . . - a 54 . . 0.
25 . . 00. . . . مح- ه - "15
12,14 43,101 1,004 *82丑
A. MURUGESU, Assistant Commissioner of Excise.
X SPECIAL COMMITTEE * B
1924-25, 25-26 and 6 27 Notopi ད་ག་ར་ཚgzg|
a 20 7

Page 73
TREE TAX SYST
No. of Trees licensed for Tavern
No. of 7 Yeqፃ ̊ ح^سم----سسسسسسسسس----س
C.
1925 14,121
1926 - - 4,172
Total 18,293
No. of Toddy Taverns re-opened by Loca
Poll held , Not;
December, 1930 ... Atchuvely
Do. . . Chavakachch December, 1932 ... . Allaipiddi Do. . . Passaiyur Do. ... Puttur West,
Do. . . Allarai January 1938 . . Alvai West.
Do. . . Fuloppalai Do. . . Vannankern December, 1933 . . Thirunelveli Do. . . Kopay Sout) Do. . . Chankanai January, 1934 . . Mathakal
Do. . . Periyavilan Do. . . Valvettitura December, 1934 . . Vannarponn
Do. .. Muhamalai Do. . . Navaly Do. . . Kaitady-Nu. January, 1935 . . Karaitivu December, 1935 . . Chulipuram January, 1936 . . Thondamana Do. . . Chemianpat Do. . . Sandilipay Do. . . Nainativu
According to the Administration Reports of t few Toddy Taverns (about 25) were re-opened in Particulars in regard to the Toddy Taverns re-op
Jaffna, May l, 1954.

M IN JAFFINA . 73 ܫ
; in the Years 1925 and 1926
ፕee8 Total
ー、 /ーYーい
P.
22,957 . . . 37,078 10,201 . . 14,373
33,158 51,45
Option after the District was Dry
Tavern to be ne of Tavern. re-opened in the
Rept Year
1931-32
Leri . . a do.
1933—34
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
East . . 。。1934一35
h « « do.
do.
tw AO W» do.
do.
i Vido. ai N-W. ... 1935-36
do.
a do. navil . . . do. do.
1936-37
3ᎿᎨ: do.
tu - - do. do.
do.
he Department for the years 1928 and 1929 a. hose years as well but details are not available. ened in the year 1932-33 are also not available.
A. MURUGESU, Assistant Commissioner of Excise, N. D.

Page 74